The Stevensville Yellowjackets won their final preseason game and remain unbeaten going into conference play. Stevensville defeated Libby, 40-15, on Friday. Josh Lords started the scoring for the ‘Jackets with a 21 yard pass from Caleb Vance. Vance only completed six of 14 passes but three of the passes were scoring receptions, all to Lords. Lords caught a 60-yard pass and a 64-yard pass. Josh Haynes made an interception at the 19-yard line and raced in for the score. Tyler Gavlak had a 27-yard interception that resulted in another six points for Stevensville.
“Libby is physical,” said coach Hank Praast. “They are always going to come out and give you all you want.”
He went on to say his Yellowjackets have finally realized they are fast. “We have a lot of speed but we haven’t been able to transfer that into a game. We’re young. We start sophomores and freshmen but it’s starting to come.”
Next week is Homecoming week for the Yellowjackets. They will host the always-tough Dillon Beavers. Dillon is also undefeated. Praast said the Dillon quarterback, J.T. Linder, is probably one of the best in the state but he feels his team will work hard to keep Linder in check.
“We’re small but we try to coach them so they are fundamentally strong. If we can get the ball out to our speed guys, it will help,” he concluded.
Corvallis beat Livingston, 34-26, in non-conference action. After being down by 12 points at the end of the first quarter, the Blue Devils scored 20 points in the second quarter to take the lead. Tyler Berner had two scores on runs of 35 yards and nine yards. Raymond Jessop caught a 56-yard pass from Brandon Butt for the third touchdown and Berner scored the two-point conversion. Stew Landis had the next two touchdowns on runs of one yard and 26 yards. He finished with 85 yards and Berner had 117 yards.
Hamilton defeated Frenchtown, 35-0, at Hamilton. Tyler Murray scored on the opening kickoff when he ran the ball back 90 yards for six points. Seth Mason kicked the PAT. Quarterback Josh Bauder plunged through the line from two yards out for the next Hamilton touchdown. Bauder connected with Murray from 54 yards out and then hit Jeremy Johnson from six yards out for scores. His final scoring pass was to Chris Cleveland from 28 yards out. Murray also had two interceptions.
Victor trampled Seeley-Swan, 70-6, in Western C action. Every time the Pirates score, the Pirate (mascot) lights off a cannon. He almost ran out of powder in this game. Kurt Manely spearheaded the offense for Victor. He was perfect in passing, completing 3-of-3 passes including a 34-yard pass to Kyle Ball. Manely also had a two-yard scoring run to begin the onslaught. Ball also scored on a 34-yard interception. Chris Morozumi finished with 120 yards rushing including scoring runs of four yards and 49 yards. Reserve quarterback Matt Kittel hit Tanner Sacks from nine yards out for another touchdown. Victor also scored on three safeties.
Florence defeated Troy, 59-14. Charlo defeated Darby, 52-18.