Blaze running back Justin Nixon plows through Missoula defenders during the RMFL AA championship game Saturday in Darby. The Blaze beat the Phoenix 15-0 to cap an undefeated season with the RMFL title. STACEY LISHOK - Ravalli Republic

One championship title.

The Bitterroot Blaze capped an undefeated season with a 15-0 win over the Missoula Phoenix earning the Rocky Mountain Football league's AA championship title - the first for a Montana-based team.

“We've worked really long and hard since January for this moment,” Blaze player/coach Joe Murawa said. “It's not a Super Bowl or national championship but for us ... you can't get any better.”

About 2,000 people gathered at Darby High School's football field to watch the championship game, and third meeting, between the two rivals.

The home team, decked out in red and yellow, kicked off to the visiting Phoenix to start the match.

After failing to make it into the end zone, Missoula attempted a field goal but the Blaze blocked it gaining momentum for a drive.

The momentum seemed short-lived when Blaze wide receiver Mark Hausknecht left the match with a leg injury.

As Hausknecht was loaded into an ambulance, he held one finger up, foreseeing his team's eventual spot as the No. 1 AA team in the RMFL.

Play resumed and after going three and out, the Blaze punted to the Phoenix.

The momentum would swing back in the Blaze's favor when defensive back Christian Brown intercepted Phoenix quarterback Shane Jurasek, the first of his five interceptions earning him MVP honors.

“You gotta give (Jurasek) a lot of credit. He's a great quarterback,” Brown said. “We had great penetration up front ... I got lucky. I was in the right place at the right time. I gotta give a lot of credit to the defense.”

Brown almost missed the match after business called him to Idaho but his teammates rallied and bought him a ticket.

“I give it out to my teammates for flying me back,” Brown said of his MVP honors. “I couldn't ask for more. It's just a great feeling knowing those guys are behind me. They're like family to me.”

The Blaze got on the board when Erik Peterson sent a 34-yard field goal sailing through the uprights.

Another field goal - this one bouncing off the crossbar- with under two minutes left in the first half gave the Blaze a 6-0 lead headed into the third quarter.

With penalties abounding, each team had trouble converting downs and a scoreless third quarter gave way to the final 15 minutes of the championship match.

“Some of the personal fouls we got were just our guys wound up to play,” Murawa said. “All week our guys were just itching to play this game.”

Early in the fourth, Peterson sent another one through the uprights for a 9-0 Blaze lead wearing on the Phoenix who seemed tired.

The final margin of the game came with just over nine minutes left when Jamie Jones intercepted Jurasek's pass returning the ball 30 yards for a touchdown.

A failed PAT sealed the Blaze win at 15-0.

“We stuck with our game plan,” Blaze quarterback Buckie Brawley said. “It went just how we planned.”

The Blaze picked off Jurasek eight times on the way to victory as the Phoenix notched 43 yards on the ground.

Justin Nixon led the Blaze with 145 yards rushing while Brawley went 4-for-9 for 44 yards.

“I'd have to say everyone on our roster was a standout,” Murawa said. “It was the epitome of a team effort.”

Missoula 0 0 0 0 - 0

Bitterroot 0 6 0 9 - 15

B - Erik Peterson 34-yard FG

B - Peterson 46-yard FG

B - Peterson 19-yard FG

B - Jamie Jones 38-yard interception return (kick failed)

Sports editor Stacey Lishok can be reached at 363-3300 or slishok@ravallirepublic.com

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