by Scott Sacry, Sports Editor
Falcons clobber Copperheads
The Florence Falcons football team, #6 in the latest 406mtsports.com rankings, played at #10 Anaconda on Friday, October 17. The Falcons dispatched a tough Anaconda team, winning 34-0 and cementing themselves as one of the top Class B teams. The win clinched a conference title for Florence.
The two teams were tied 0-0 after the first quarter and Florence led 7-0 at halftime. Florence exploded in the second half, scoring two touchdowns in each quarter to run away with the lopsided victory.
Florence’s Maddox Chase, shown here scoring a touchdown against Eureka, had 16 carries for 120 yards and a touchdown in Florence’s most recent victory over Anaconda on Friday, Oct. 17. Florence clinched the conference title with the win. Photo by Stephanie K Geiser Photography.
For Florence, QB Brody Duchien was efficient, completing 11 for 12 passes for 103 yards, including a touchdown pass to Tash Murray. RB Mattix Chase rushed 16 times for 120 yards and a touchdown. Florence also got rushing touchdowns from Levi Winters and Nolan Lippy.
Florence’s defense continued to impress as they held the high-powered Copperheads scoreless and only allowed 73 yards rushing and 6 yards passing. Florence has outscored their opponents 186-12 over the last four games.
The Falcons are 4-3 this season and 4-0 in conference and are rolling into the Class B playoffs at top form.
The Falcons have their regular season finale on Friday, October 24, where they host rival Missoula Loyola (2-5) at 7 p.m.
Broncs batter Maroons
The Hamilton football team, ranked #5 in this week’s 406mtsports.com poll, hosted Butte Central on Friday, Oct. 17. Butte scored first and led 7-0 early, but from that point on it was all Hamilton. The Broncs reeled off seven straight touchdowns and cruised to a 50-7 victory.
Most of the damage was done in the first half as Hamilton led 20-7 after one quarter and 43-7 at halftime.
Hamilton’s defense dominated the Maroons, as the Broncs held the Maroons to only 35 yards total offense, with 44 yards passing and -9 yards rushing.
For Hamilton, sophomore QB Cooper Weston continued to impress, completing 8 of 13 passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns; he also rushed for a touchdown. RB Jude Widmer had a big game with 9 carries for 110 yards and two touchdowns (43 yards, 36 yards). Widmer also intercepted a pass and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown. RB Brandon Saltzman had a rushing touchdown, and TE Kaeden Gum had two touchdown receptions.
Hamilton’s Brandon Saltzman (#8) lunges for a touchdown in Hamilton’s 50-7 victory over Butte Central last Friday. Photo by John Rudow.
Hamilton is 6-1 on the season and hosts Corvallis (1-6) in their regular season finale on Friday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.
Tigers tame Vikings
The Darby Tiger football team went to Charlo on Friday, October 17 to face the Vikings and won 48-14. The win moves Darby one step closer to a playoff berth.
Darby’s McCoy Townsend had another great performance. Townsend had 17 total tackles on defense. On offense, he rushed 16 times for 225 yards with 5 rushing touchdowns. Townsend also threw a touchdown pass to Jordan Browning. Browning also rushed for 47 yards including a touchdown run. Also for Darby, Colter Bennett had 10 tackles.
The win moves Darby to 6-2 on the season and a win against a solid St. Ignatius team (5-3) on Friday will ensure Darby a playoff berth for the first time in years. Darby hosts St. Ignatius on Friday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.
Corvallis falls to Frenchtown
The Corvallis football team went to Frenchtown on Friday, Oct. 17, to play the #3 ranked Broncs. Corvallis fought hard but didn’t have the weapons to stay with the high powered Broncs and Corvallis lost 0-50. For Corvallis, Marshall Jessop led with 11 total tackles.
Corvallis is now 1-6 on the season. For their final game of the 2025 season, the Blue Devils make the long trek south to Hamilton to play the Broncs (6-1) on Friday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.
Stevensville defeated by Dillon
The Stevensville football team hosted Dillon on Friday, Oct. 17, and lost 14-42. The ‘Jackets got behind early and trailed 0-28 at halftime. In the second half, Stevensville held their own as both teams had two second half touchdowns, but Stevensville couldn’t get any closer and lost 14-42.
Stevensville’s Landon Bryan had 105 yards rushing on 24 carries, including a 21-yard TD reception from QB Luca Schmidt. Stevensville’s other touchdown came on a short run by Jake Nyholm.
Stevensville is 1-7 on the season and hosts #3 Frenchtown (7-1) in their final game of 2025 on Friday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.
Victor defeated by St. Regis
The Victor football team hosted St. Regis on Saturday, Oct. 18.
It was Victor’s Senior Night and they honored the following senior football players: Colin Lewis, Johnny Lewis, Sawyer Agee, Evan Silvia, Mario Martinez, and Tysen Nuttall. In the game, Victor struggled to keep up with St. Regis and lost 6-46.
Victor is 2-7 on the season and plays their final game of 2025 at Superior (6-2) on Friday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.