by Scott Sacry, Sports Editor
The Darby and Victor football teams squared off in Victor on Saturday, September 6, in a contest of the two 8-man football teams in the Bitterroot Valley. Darby jumped out early and led 24-0 at halftime, and cruised to a 34-0 victory.
Darby’s speedy and athletic quarterback McCoy Townsend rushed for four touchdowns and teammate Jordan Browning added a touchdown run to account for the Tigers’ scoring.
Darby’s McCoy Townsend hits Victor’s Sawyer Agee as he throws the ball in Darby’s 34-0 victory over Victor on Saturday, September 6 in Victor.
It was a hard hitting, competitive game. Darby led 12-0 after the first quarter, thanks to two short TD runs by Townsend. In the second quarter, Townsend had a 40-yard touchdown scamper and Browning took a reverse 25 yards to make the score 24-0 at halftime. After halftime, Townsend added a short TD run to make the final score 34-0.
Darby is now 1-0 on the season and hosts Arlee in their home opener on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.
Victor’s Colin Lewis (#7) gets swarmed by a group of Darby defenders led by Darby’s #8 Wyatt Manning. Photos by Scott Sacry.
Victor is 1-1 on the season and travels to Seeley-Swan to battle the top 10 ranked Blackhawks on Friday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.
Football around the valley
Broncs best Bulldogs
Hamilton traveled to Whitefish to battle the Bulldogs on Friday, September 5 and won 27-23. The Broncs started quickly and controlled the game early, leading 14-0 after the first quarter and 27-8 at halftime. The Broncs slowed down in the second half and Whitefish made a comeback, but Hamilton was able to hold on for the 27-23 victory.
Hamilton sophomore quarterback Cooper Weston had a strong game. He rushed for two touchdowns and threw for two touchdowns, and completed 26 of 41 passes. Hamilton got big games from a trio of receivers. WR Jackson Lubke had 9 catches for 119 yards, WR Easton Hollis had 8 receptions for 96 yards and a TD, and TE Kaedan Gum had 9 catches for 94 yards and a TD.
Hamilton is 2-0 on the season and plays Libby on Friday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. in Hamilton.
Florence loses to #2 Manhattan
Florence went to Manhattan on Friday, September 5, to play the #2 ranked Tigers (406mtsports.com poll). The Falcons played tough but fell 18-6. Florence quarterback Brody Duchien threw for over 100 yards and rushed for a touchdown and Bridger Alexander rushed for 60 yards.
Florence has faced tough competition in their first two games, playing #3 Three Forks in the opening week, then #2 Manhattan last week. Florence looks to get a notch in the win column against Fairfield in Florence on Friday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.
Yellowjackets felled by Loggers
Stevensville headed north to face Libby on Friday, September 5. The ‘Jackets trailed 22-0 after the first quarter and 42-7 at halftime and weren’t able to recover in the second half, losing 42-14. Stevensville is now 0-2 on the season and will play Livingston in their home opener on Friday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.
Corvallis falls to Bigfork
The Corvallis Blue Devils went to Bigfork on Friday, September 5, to battle the Vikings. The Blue Devils weren’t able to get any traction in the game and fell 52-0 to Bigfork. Corvallis is now 0-2 on the season and hosts Whitefish on Friday, Sept. 12 in their next game.