Hamilton’s Landon Duce didn’t make it into the end zone on Friday night against Libby but that’s about the only place he didn’t go. The 5’7”, 150 pound running back carried the ball 32 times for 216 yards. Hamilton had 16 first downs from rushing and most of those were Duce’s.
“Landon’s been due for a breakout game for two years now,” said Hamilton quarterback Carson Rostad. “It was really helpful for him to get first downs, back to back to back.”
Duce, one of several seniors honored that night, said his work on footwork in the off season has helped him this season.
“My O line was doing great, picking up on the linebackers, doing the right thing. I was just able to run the holes they opened up for me.”
But Duce was just one part of a powerful Bronc offense that compiled 497 yards total offense, 240 yards more than Libby. They had 31 first downs, (Libby had 17) and knocked out a 35-21 win for the Broncs. And there were several spectacular passes and catches from both teams to the delight of the crowd.
“We knew it would be a good game,” said Hamilton coach Bryce Carver. “They’re 6-1 coming in here, and undefeated up until the last game.”
The game was closer than the stats indicated. Carson Rostad said the Loggers were probably one of the hardest hitting teams he’s played in high school. But the Loggers were also versatile and went to the air many times, making the Broncs adjust their defense.
Hamilton’s first touchdown was just seconds into the game when Carson Rostad found his brother in the end zone and hit him with a 26 yard pass. Libby came back 80 seconds later and scored when Ayden Williamson pushed through from three yards out. Their PAT was good and Libby took the lead.
The two teams battled with each going for fourth down several times. In fact there were only four punts in the game. Carver said that Libby had a lot of weapons in their offense and he was pleased with how his defense contained them.
Carson Rostad had two rushing touchdowns in the second half, one for one yard and one for three yards. A pass from Carson Rostad to Brock Jones completed a two point conversion on the one yard touchdown while Tyson Rostad kicked a PAT on the second. In the third quarter, Carson hit Tucker Jones for an eight-yard scoring pass and again, the PAT was good by Tyson Rostad.
Libby came back to score with 14 seconds remaining in the third quarter. They scored once more in the fourth but Hamilton had already scored again when Carson Rostad completed a 15 yard pass to Jaiden Klemundt. The PAT was good and Hamilton won, 35-21.
“This Western A has been tough,” said Carver. “It’s been a battle all year.”
Hamilton now has a record of 7-1.
Florence turned around a 17 year losing streak and defeated Loyola, 39-21. The Falcons have sole possession of second place in the Western B, right behind the undefeated Eureka Lions.
After a scoreless first quarter, Florence got on the score board when Colby Kohlman threw a 39 yard pass to Blake Shoupe for the six points. Kohlman scored once again in the second when he rushed seven yards to the end zone. Loyola scored their first touchdown in the second quarter when Cormack Benn caught an 18 yard pass from Keenan Russell.
The Falcons continued to pressure the Rams and went to the air again. It was another Kohlman to Shoupe pass, this time from 29 yards out. A few minutes later, the duo connected for another TD, this time from 39 yards out. Florence scored twice in the fourth quarter to complete their scoring. Kohlman threw passes of 62 yards and 87 yards to Shoupe and Jacob Round respectively
Florence will play Three Forks this Friday at home in a non conference game.
Darby topped Charlo, 42-14, for a Western C win. Nelson had scoring runs of two yards and five yards as well as a touchdown pass for 38 yards two Deric Parks. Parks had a seven yard. Jordan Anderson had a 23 yard scoring run and Ethan Ross pushed through from three yards out. The Tigers have a 4-3 record.
The Corvallis Blue Devils topped Browning, 14-6. Victor fell two Arlee, 64-14. Whitefish topped Stevensville, 27-6. Sahkaia Wehr scored the lone ‘Jacket touchdown.