by Scott Sacry
The Florence Falcon football team, ranked #2 in the final 406 MT Sports Class B football poll, hosted the Columbus Cougars on Friday, Oct. 30, in the first round of the Class B state playoffs. Florence was the West’s No. 1 seed, while Columbus was the South’s No. 4 seed.
Florence started the season with one of the state’s toughest non-conference schedules, playing three of the state’s top teams – losing to Three Forks and beating Manhattan and Fairfield. Then, Florence dominated during conference play, going 5-0 and winning by a combined score of 263-20. Now they start the state playoffs, where every team is tough and talented. Will they continue to roll over opponents, or will the matchups be more even?
In the first quarter against Columbus, it looked like Florence was in store for an even matchup.
Columbus took its first possession and drove down the field on a long opening drive that took most of the first quarter. Florence’s defense bent but didn’t break, stopping Columbus on fourth down at the 6-yard line to end the drive without giving up any points. After the two teams traded punts, the first quarter ended 0-0.
Then Florence settled in and dominated the second quarter, and, after that, the rest of the game.
Florence’s dual-threat quarterback, Jake Schneiter, started the second-quarter scoring with two touchdown runs (17 yards and 3 yards), then Brennan Meinhold took a double-handoff reverse and rumbled 67 yards for a touchdown. Then, just before halftime, Luca Caldarone scampered 83 yards for a touchdown, giving Florence a 26-0 halftime lead.
Florence scored early in the second half on a 41-yard pass from Schneiter to Meinhold. Columbus answered with a touchdown, making the score 33-7. In the fourth quarter, Schneiter scored again on a 37-yard touchdown run, and Layton Stubb scored on a 47-yard touchdown run as Florence cruised to a 45-7 victory.
Florence’s rushing game was dominant, as they ran for a total of 420 yards – Luca Caldarone led the way with 17 carries for 231 yards. On defense for the Falcons, Christian Englund and Jake Schneiter each had 17 total tackles.
The victory vaults the Falcons into the state quarterfinals, where they will host the North’s No. 2 seed, Malta. Florence can expect a formidable Malta team, as the Mustangs are 7-2 on the season and ranked #6 in the final 406 MT Sports poll. Their two losses came to #1 Huntley Project (14-26) and #4 Fairfield (20-31). Malta defeated Baker 47-6 in the first round.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m. in Florence on Friday, Nov. 6, with the winner facing either Manhattan or Red Lodge in the state semifinals the following week.
See the Class B State bracket here:
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