HELENA — Cole Graham, like the wind-blown snow, kept coming Friday night, burying Billings West under three total scores (two rushing, one receiving) and the frozen precipitation gathered on players’ helmets.
Graham, seeking his second state football championship and fourth overall (wrestling, legion baseball), carried the football a season-high 19 times for 96 yards over frozen tundra, scoring out of the wildcat, pistol, and on a pylon dive in a 35-6 Bruins state title game appearance-clinching victory.
“I’d say after the second rushing touchdown [it felt like we took over],” Graham said. “It was kinda like, we could dominate up front and run the ball. That’s always good, and that’s when I feel like we took over.”
Fists clenched, Graham walked toward the post-game handshake line like a conquering hero with a camo-clad student section cheering at his back. While Graham and the Bruins (10-1) found warmth in a triumphant post game locker room, that same student section followed a trickle of news from Bozeman that told them the state championship would be played in Helena.
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Not known for smiles, Graham cracked one soon thereafter surrounded by his parents and aunt during a post game photo…