The Victor Pirates unleashed Colt Neville on the Seeley-Swan Blackhawks and came away with a conference win. Neville scored five touchdowns in the 58-6 win, including a 28-yard interception and tallied up more than 200 yards rushing. The senior scored twice in the first quarter on runs of eight yards and four yards. He notched another touchdown run in the second quarter when he rushed six yards to the end zone. His final scoring run was for 63 yards in the third quarter.
Pirate speedster Jack Powell had one scoring run of 61 yards on a kickoff return. He also completed the two-point conversion on two touchdowns. Jesse Pearson, who took over the quarterback position this season, scored on a 31-yard race to the goal line. Jayce Allred rumbled in for the final Pirate touchdown from nine yards out.
The Pirate defense was strong throughout the game. Aside from the touchdown in the first quarter, the Blackhawks never really threatened again. A strong pass defense and tough tackling by the defensive line held them in check.
Darby had a home conference game against Clark Fork, which is made up of players from Superior and Alberton. According to Darby coach Jeff Snavely, the Clark Fork team has good size and is athletic. Darby’s team has seven seniors on it, including quarterback Kye McCollaum; but there are also a number of young players as well.
After a slow beginning, Darby came from behind to win, 50-32. McCollaum picked off two Clark Fork passes for touchdowns. His first was for 45 yards and not only did it put points on the board for the Tigers but it slowed the momentum down for Clark Fork. McCollaum scored again on a 55 yard run. McCollaum also scored in the third quarter when he picked off a Clark Fork pass and raced 55 yards for the score. His final two TDs were on the ground – a one-yard plunge and then a 40-yard run. John Beckers put up three touchdowns. He had a 46-yard run in the second quarter. He raced 60 yards for the score in the fourth quarter and his final touchdown was a five-yard run.
Hamilton topped their neighbors from over the hill, Salmon, 49-0. Bridger Bauder passed for three touchdowns. Bauder hit Nick Arnold from five yards out, Cam Rothie from 30 yards out and Tyler Chouinard from 20 yards out. On the ground, the Broncs had good success as well. Declan O’Brien had a one yard push for the first TD of the night. Manny Rivera raced 40 yards in the first quarter for a score; and then pushed through from 3 yards out for six more points. Matt Brown caught a 20-yard pass from Carson Rostad in the fourth quarter for the final Hamilton touchdown. Bauder kicked all seven PATs.
Corvallis fell to Columbia Falls, 48-12, in non-conference action. Although neither team scored in the first quarter, the Wild Cats unleashed 41 points in the second, putting 41 points on the board including four touchdown passes. Corvallis’ Cole Wohltman scored when he caught a 78-yard pass from Ridge Albright. The two connected again in the fourth quarter for a 22-yard touchdown reception. Liang Liedle made the two-point conversion.
Stevensville won by forfeit over Livingston and Florence lost to Manhattan.