MISSOULA — Seven years of city dominance by Missoula Sentinel's football team came to an end Friday, courtesy of a gutsy Big Sky crew that willed its way to victory despite injury woes.

The Eagles took a 15-14 lead into halftime and no one scored in the second half as both offenses sputtered. The Spartans had a chance to win with a 37-yard field goal on the final play but it sailed wide and a frenzied celebration by Big Sky's players, coaches and fans ensued.

"We got short-handed really fast, had a couple kids get banged up, and it was tough sledding," Big Sky 15-year head coach Matt Johnson said. "We told the kids at halftime, we gotta have that next-man-up mentality.

"Toward the end there we got a little tired and we were able to find a little life and I love the way our kids responded. They got it done. It's a hard-fought battle. That's way more fun than a 50-point game."

It all came down to Sentinel's final possession when it took over at its own 20-yard line with 6:53 left. Slowly but surely the Spartans worked the ball up the field with short runs and passes.

With under a minute left, it looked like the Spartans were going to punch the ball in after a Ryan Haidle reception gave them an apparent first down at the Big Sky 1-yard line. But Sentinel was called for holding on the play and the ball was moved back to the 28, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.

"It was just resiliency and discipline," Big Sky senior cornerback/receiver Mason Fulford said. "The kick went wide and I thought back to all the work we put in together since freshman year.

"We had to find a different way to win tonight. Our offense, we were doing good but couldn't get it in the end zone a couple more times, so we had to lean back and rely on our defense."

With the win, Big Sky finished up its most impressive September in a long time with a record of 4-1 (2-1 in the Western AA). Sentinel finished up its most rocky September in a long time with a mark of 2-3, 1-2.

The Eagles scored the only points of the first quarter on a Cal Marceau 30-yard field goal. They stretched their lead to 9-0 with a 68-yard drive in the second frame capped by an Avery Omlid 2-yard QB sneak at 7:57. The extra point was blocked.

Sentinel cut its deficit to 9-7 on a 2-yard burst by quarterback Jace Koshatka with 6:35 left in the half. The score was set up by a 67-yard run by Haidle.

On Big Sky's ensuing possession, Koshatka intercepted a screen pass and rambled 47 yards to give the Spartans their first lead. Big Sky answered with a 1-yard scoring dive by Omlid with 17 ticks left in the first half but a two-point conversion attempt failed. The TD was set up by Fulford's 13-yard reception to the Sentinel 1-yard line.

Omlid finished 11 for 17 passing for 102 yards. Fulford had six catches for 32 yards and teammate Keller Hiedrick 12 rushes for 44 yards. 

Haidle had a good night offensively with 12 rushes for 95 yards and two catches for 15. Koshatka completed 11 of 14 passes for 99 yards and rushed for 71 yards on 20 totes.

"For our defense to give up seven points the whole game was pretty huge," Johnson said. "They had their backs against the wall a couple times and came up strong. Really happy for them because they were resilient."

The catalyst in Big Sky's turnaround season has been Omlid. And no one was happier to see Sentinel's potential game-winning field goal attempt sail wide.

"It's indescribable. I'm at a loss for words," he said. "We've been working so hard and I knew our moment would come.

"I was nervous when they lined up for the field goal, but I knew our fans would be loud, and I was just hoping for the W."

In winning, Johnson said the Eagles are "back to where we were a while ago." Prior to Sentinel's recent run of city dominance and playoff success, it was Big Sky that enjoyed a long run of city titles.

Now the Eagles can secure undisputed city bragging rights with a victory over winless Missoula Hellgate next Friday.

"I have a shirt and I think it (reads) 44-10 against crosstown rivals," said Johnson, who has been a member of the Big Sky coaching staff for 23 years. "It took us a little bit, we've worked hard to rebuild, and we're coming around.

"Really proud of these guys for where they're at."