The people came to the Circle on Saturday in groups of two, three, or sometimes more, all with the same question or variant thereof: "Where can we watch the Big Game?"  Most wore the colors of their team, and all had been anticipating this for a long time.

Michigan vs Ohio State?  No, that was a mere sideshow to the Brawl of the Wild, the annual showdown between the Montana Grizzlies and Montana State Bobcats.  Alumni from both schools make the annual trek from all over New England, and sometimes even beyond, to watch one of the oldest college football rivalries running, over 100 years of battles between the Big Sky schools.

What would possess a popular sports bar near the New Hampshire border in northeastern Massachusetts to host a game from a far-flung location?  The business sure doesn't hurt, as about 50 alumni from each school showed up to cheer on their teams.  "There's definitely an upswing in business from your typical Saturday afternoon crowd." Said bartender Billy Harris.  Echoed kitchen worker Keith Sherman: "We're a lot busier than our typical Saturday, but everyone I've seen wearing shirts from the schools has been very nice."

The other question that bears to mind: How did they end up in Salisbury? Montana alum Kevin Eames, who was the organizer for his school's contingent, said it was fairly simple.  "I've been putting this together for a number of years now, and as I've moved north, now living in southern New Hampshire, the gathering has moved north. Also, this is a great location right off of the highway, and we're always made to feel welcome here." 

Montana State organizer Chris Mattocks echoed Eames sentiments "We'll keep coming as long as you want us here."  Winner's Circle General Manager Jeff Duford will ensure of that.  "It's one of the best days of the year here, as we get a good-natured, fun crowd that we otherwise would not have.  They're always welcome here."

Virtually all of the attendees are native Montanans who have relocated to the New England region, and one Montana fan was happy for the opportunity to see the game:  "It's so hard, where 1-AA football doesn't have the exposure that the big boys get, to actually see the Griz in action.  Usually I have to follow them on the internet."  Arlin, a native a Livingston, MT, but now residing in Beverly, came to watch even though he was not an alumn of either school.  "It's the biggest sporting event in the state, and it reminds me of where I came from."  Arlin attended Carroll College, who has won four straight NAIA football titles and is gunning for a 5^th,

Despite the 13-7 win in favor of the Grizzlies, both teams will have a shot at the 1-AA title, as both were selected for the 1-AA tournament and will host 1^st round games, Montana will host McNeese State as the #2 seed, and Montana State hosts Furman as an unseeded team.  With all of the talk of a rematch with Michigan and Ohio State in the BCS title game, you can forget that the two Montana schools could do the same for the 1-AA title, but instead of a computer giving them the chance, they have to earn it through three rounds of do-or-die football.

Speaking of the Michigan-Ohio State game, several fans coming to watch that game were perplexed that the Brawl of the Wild was the main attraction, as opposed to this year's Game of the Century.  "Who would want to come here and watch THAT game?" one incredulous patron asked.  With a wave of the hand encompassing the main room at the Circle, with the throngs of Montanans yelling at the TV, the answer was obvious.

The biggest shame of the day?  We have to wait until next year to do it again.

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