Gallatin senior forward Ezekiel Leighton led his teammates across the field to celebrate with Raptors fans after the game, letting out a thunderous roar.

He’d been waiting for this moment his entire career, a chance to lift the emotional weight off the Raptors’ shoulders. After losing in the Class AA semifinals each of the previous two seasons, the East No. 1 seed Gallatin boys soccer team exorcised some demons in a 3-0 win over West No. 2 seed Kalispell Glacier Tuesday.

The Raptors will host West No. 1 seed Missoula Hellgate Saturday. It will be Gallatin’s first appearance in the Class AA boys state title game.

“After two years coming short, it just feels like relief,” Leighton said. “I'm so happy for the chance to go into the final.”

There was palpable disappointment after falling to

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