So what if it's an 800-mile round trip. The Glacier High School football team, in just its third year of existence, is happy to get on the bus and head to Billings for a AA playoff game with Skyview tonight.

Sure, it would have been more convenient if the game had been in Kalispell, but when you're making the school's first postseason appearance, the venue isn't a major issue.

"We're really excited,'' coach Grady Bennett said. "We're way ahead of where anyone thought we could be.''

It's not that Bennett didn't think the Wolfpack could be good because he had 15 starters including quarterback Shay Smithwick-Hann. What he didn't know was whether the Wolfpack could learn how to win after sustaining some poundings over the past two years which produced records of 0-10 and 2-8.

"I knew we would be competitive,'' Bennett admitted. "But there were games over the past two years where we were so overmatched. Could they get to the point where they believed they could win? Could they handle adversity?''

Those questions began to get answered on opening night. Glacier found itself in a 7-7 tie late in the third quarter with Senior and then broke the game open for a 41-21 victory.

The following week, the Wolfpack played respectably in a 35-24 loss to Great Falls CMR. A comeback overtime win at Bozeman and close victory at Missoula Sentinel put Glacier in position to make the playoffs. The Wolfpack didn't stumble, beating Missoula Big Sky and Missoula Hellgate down the stretch to finish 7-3.

That put them in a three-way tie with Helena and Skyview, but Helena won the first tie-breaker to get third place. The Falcons then won the next tie-breaker, to put the Wolfpack on the road.

Bennett said the travel shouldn't be much of an issue because, "When you live in Kalispell, you have to travel. Our closest trip is 21/2 hours to Missoula. We've come down there (to Billings) for camp, so I think they're probably used to it.''

Glacier has displayed good offensive balance this season behind Smithwick-Hann and running backs Taylor Hart and Wiley Fusaro.

"In 20 years of coaching, this is the most balanced team I've seen,'' Bennett said. "I think we have about 1,850 yards running and 1,850 passing. That's incredible. I'm proud of our offensive line. Shay has done a nice job of learning how to run. I didn't want him to run our first couple of years and take a pounding.

"Hart and Fusaro gives us a different look. Hart is more of a downhill runner. Fusaro is our shifty guy and hard to find. You have to prepare for two different things.''

Glacier's defense will be tested by Skyview's running game and improved passing attack. Regardless, it's an opportunity to make more history for the young program.

"We're excited and proud to be part of the tournament,'' Bennett said.