Bitterroot Blaze running back Tyler Jolley breaks a double tackle during the team's semifinal battle against Utah's Bear River Valley Rockets. WILL MOSS - Ravalli Republic

“We had a great turnout,” Blaze coach Joe Murawa said. “It was exciting to see the support from the community.”

The Blaze got on the board first after running back Justin Nixon rushed 75 yards for the first points of the game.

A successful point after attempt by Erik Peterson put the Blaze up 7-0.

The Rockets responded with a touchdown of their own 20 seconds left in the opening quarter.

Tied 7-7 heading into the second, Murawa said he told his fellow players to take a breath and calm down.

“We get so excited at the beginning,” Murawa said, “and tend to shoot ourselves in the foot a bit.”

Once the Blaze calmed down, they took the lead as Peterson sailed a 33-yard field goal through the uprights in the second followed by another Nixon run for another touchdown.

“My biggest concern was allowing (the Rockets') quarterback time to pass,” Murawa said adding the Blaze didn't allow him enough time and the Blaze held a 17-7 halftime lead.

Meanwhile, Murawa said the team was in constant communication receiving updates of the Missoula Phoenix vs. Vipers game in Utah for the other championship slot.

Two more touchdowns in the third - a 4-yard run by quarterback Buckie Brawley and a 2-yard run by Tyler Jolley - helped the Blaze pull away.

Headed towards its ninth straight win, the Blaze put three more touchdowns up in the fourth as Brawley found the endzone yet again while teammates Chris Brawley and David Gingerich each crossed the goal line.

As the final minute ran down, Murawa said the Phoenix score was announced to the crowd.

“Missoula had won and the place just erupted,” Murawa said.

Missoula's 34-28 win and the Blaze 50-7 final over the Rockets meant the two rival teams would meet in the championship game hosted by the Blaze in Darby.

The June 30 title match will be the third meeting between the two teams.

“As the season wore on, I started telling the guys it would be a Missoula/Blaze game for the title,” Murawa said. “I'm excited it is all Montana teams. Just shows Montana does have the best football.”

Bear River 7 0 0 0 - 7

Bitterroot 7 10 13 20 - 50

B- Justin Nixon 75-yard run (Peterson kick)

BRV - Dave Williams 9-yard run (Freeman kick)

B - Peterson 33-yard FG

B - Nixon 4-yard run (Peterson kick)

B - Buckie Brawley 4-yard run (kick blocked)

B - Tyler Jolley 2-yard run (Peterson kick)

B - B. Brawley 12-yard run (kick failed)

B - Chris Brawley 24-yard pass from Matt Blakey (Peterson kick)

B - David Gingerich 85-yard interception return (Peterson kick)

PASSING - Buckie Brawley 7-15-146, Matt Blakey 1-2-24

RUSHING - Justin Nixon 20-203, Buckie Brawley 5-25, Tyler Jolley 10-61, Bo Davenport 4-6, Matt Blakey 1-1.

RECEIVING - Grant Roman 2-35, Rich Filie 2-51, Chris Brawley 4-84.

DEFENSIVE STATS - Christian Brown - 3 tackles, 2 INT's, 1 recovered fumble; Chris Jones - 6 tackles, 2 sacks; Brian Hellyer - 1 tackle; Kyle Rausch - 4 tackles; Jamie Jones - 3.5 tackles, 1 sack, 1 caused fumble; Mike Tryon - 3.5 tackles, 1 INT, 1 caused fumble, 1 recovered fumble; Paul Tryon - 2 tackles; Kurt Rausch - 3 tackles,  1 INT; David Gingerich - .5 tackle, 1 INT 85yd. TD return; Blake Hoge - 2.5 tackles, 1 caused fumble; Patrick Evers - 4.5 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT; Brian Buckreus - 3 tackles; Bo Davenport - 2 tackles; Derrick Zeiler - 2.5 tackles; TJ Ward - 1.5 tackles, 1 sack; Vince Zepeda-Sain - .5 tackle; Tyler Jolley - 1 tackle; Ken Richie - 1 tackle; Taz Flynn - .5 tackle; Eric Peterson - 1 tackle; Mark Hausknecht - 1 tackle

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