Helena High athletics were a through-line in this week's sports coverage, and the Bengals' results were a mixed bag that tells a story about where this fall season stands. The volleyball team dropped a non-conference match to the Bozeman Hawks 3-0 — twice, with some confusion in the coverage about whether the September 29 loss was home or away — before grinding out a five-set thriller over the Butte Bulldogs on September 26 and then sweeping crosstown rival Capital High 3-0 on October 1. The football team, meanwhile, gave up a 34-27 conference loss to the Capital Bruins on September 25, making the volleyball sweep feel like something of a revenge moment for Bengal pride. The pattern this week: Helena High is competitive, capable of winning big, but not yet consistent. For fans and parents tracking the playoff picture, the conference wins matter most — and the sweep of the Bruins will count. On a brighter regional note, UM's Eli Gillman put up a record-shattering rushing performance against UC Davis, a reminder that Montana football is doing just fine up the road in Missoula.