by Scott Sacry
#6 Florence 33, #1 Manhattan 20
#6 Florence hosted defending state champion and #1 ranked (406mtsports.com) Manhattan on Friday, Sept. 4, in a competitive battle between two of the best Class B football programs in Montana. Florence proved they are one of the best teams in the state this year as they defeated Manhattan 33-20.
Florence led 20-7 at halftime, thanks to three rushing touchdowns by senior quarterback Jack Schneiter. Manhattan responded in the third quarter, scoring two straight touchdowns to tie the game 20-20. In the fourth quarter, Florence drove the length of the field and scored on a 28-yard pass from Schneiter to Tash Murray. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful and Florence led 26-20.
On Manhattan’s next possession, Schneiter sealed the victory when he sacked Manhattan’s quarterback on fourth down, and Florence took over on downs. Florence then ran the clock down and scored on a short touchdown run by Luca Caldarone with 31 seconds left in the game.
The 33-20 victory moved Florence to #2 in the latest 406mtsports.com poll and dropped Manhattan to #3.
Schneiter finished the game with 19 carries for 213 yards, 114 yards passing, and four total touchdowns. Schneiter also had 11 total tackles and two sacks. Florence’s Christian Englund led the Falcons with 15 total tackles.
Florence’s opening four-game non-conference schedule is about as challenging as you can get. They opened the season at then-#2 Three Forks and lost 28-34 on a last-second touchdown. Next, they defeated then-#1 Manhattan 33-20. On Friday, Sept. 11, they play at #5 Fairfield at 7 p.m. Then, if that wasn’t enough, they host Frenchtown, the defending Class A state champion, on Friday, Sept. 18. Frenchtown is the #1-ranked Class A school this season. Phew!
Hamilton 28, #5 Whitefish 29
Hamilton lost 28-29 to #5 Whitefish (406mtsports.com) on Friday, Sept. 4, in Hamilton in a battle between two of the top Class A teams in the state.
Hamilton started slowly and fell behind 0-13 in the first quarter. The Broncs responded in the second quarter and scored on a Cooper Weston quarterback run; they trailed 8-13 at halftime.
The teams went back and forth in the second half, and Hamilton led 22-21 heading into the fourth quarter. Whitefish scored in the fourth quarter and made their 2-point conversion to lead 29-22. Hamilton then drove down the field and scored on a last-second touchdown run by Weston. Hamilton’s PAT was blocked, and Hamilton lost in a heartbreaker 28-29.
Hamilton running back Jude Widmer had 18 carries for 142 yards and a touchdown; he also had 5 receptions for 60 yards. Hamilton quarterback Cooper Weston completed 21 of 40 passes for 208 yards; he rushed for 23 yards and three touchdowns. On defense, Weston led the team with an eye-opening 18 total tackles. Luke McCarthy led the Hamilton receivers with six receptions for 77 yards.
Hamilton travels to Libby this week to play the Loggers on Friday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. Libby lost to Stevensville 6-14 in their last game.
Corvallis 36, Bigfork 21
Corvallis hosted Bigfork on Friday, Sept. 4, and defeated the visiting Vikings 36-21. Corvallis trailed 0-13 after the first quarter, then rallied over the next three quarters, outscoring Bigfork 36-8 to get the 36-21 victory.
Corvallis’s Ayden Spencer had a monster game. The senior running back rushed 18 times for 187 yards, caught two passes for 61 yards, and scored five total touchdowns, three rushing (58 yards, 55 yards, and 16 yards) and two receiving (56 yards, 5 yards). Dexter Harper led the Blue Devils with nine total tackles.
Corvallis next plays at #4 (406mtsports.com) Whitefish on Friday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. Whitefish defeated Hamilton 29-28 in their last game.
Stevensville 14, Libby 6
Stevensville defeated Libby 14-6 in Stevensville on Friday, Sept. 4. Stevensville trailed 0-6 heading into the fourth quarter, then scored twice in the final frame to win 14-6. Stevensville senior receiver Kaden Wyant had a big game with 10 receptions for 153 yards and a touchdown.
Stevensville is now 1-1 on the season and plays at Livingston on Friday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. Livingston lost 0-54 to Glendive in their last game.
#10 Darby 66, Arlee 12
#10 (406mtsports.com) Darby played at Arlee on Friday, Sept. 4, and won 66-12. The blowout victory was a team effort for the Tigers. Darby’s Reagan Christopherson had 131 yards rushing with two touchdowns; he also threw for a touchdown. Jordan Browning returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and had a receiving touchdown. Gavin Anderson caught a 40-yard touchdown reception. Abe Atkins threw for 78 yards and three touchdowns, and Oliver Long had a receiving touchdown.
With the win, Darby moved up to #9 in the latest 406mtsports.com poll for 8-man football. Darby doesn’t play a game this week.
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