It took the Falcons half of the football game to get going but when they did, they made a statement, scoring 35 points in the second half while holding the team from the north scoreless in a 41-0 non-conference win.
Tough defense by the Lions kept the Falcons out of the end zone for much of the first half. The only score was when Aaron Ward called his own number for a 15-yard scoring run. After making some adjustments at the half, the Falcons came back out and quickly scored when Ward again kept the ball and rushed 13 yards for the score.
“We try to always make adjustments especially where they kind of threw us out of rhythm early,” said Florence coach Terry Maki. “These young men did a great job. We’re just glad to get a victory.”
The team struggled with the point after attempts, and only made one of six attempts. Ward was 12 of 20 in the air and completed a scoring pass to Tanner Cobbs for 25 yards. Cobbs also had a 30-yard scoring run. Brady Heffner added another touchdown from the ground and Brady Pickering scored on a ‘pick six’ from 35 yards out. The Florence defense also had two safeties.
Maki attributed the first half to a lack of mental preparedness and said that “no matter how many times you say it, and you can nod your head but until you’re tested, you just don’t know what you’re going to do. You can’t take any team lightly.”
In other football action, the Victor Pirates game the undefeated Charlo Vikings a run. Although Charlo won, 52-46, the Pirates put up a fight and never backed off. Quarterback Matt Kittel went to the air 73 times and completed 43 of those for 445 yards. He hit Corey Deering for five touchdowns from the air. Deering had receptions of six yards, 11 yards, six yards, and six yards. Deering also had a 30-yard interception for a TD. Kittle hit Nate Bishop from 21 yards out late in the game but an interception by Charlo ended the hopes of the Pirates.
Stevensville didn’t know if they would be playing Homecoming in Stevensville or in Butte until about noon on Friday when the decision was made to hold the game at Stevi. Butte Central came to town and went on to win, 31-13. Kyle Behner raced 59 yards for a touchdown. Chris Bergman kicked the extra point. Zach Gavlak caught a 17-yard pass from Jared Schultz for the other score.
Hamilton fell to Dillon, 56-7, for their Homecoming night. Kris Cleveland caught a 10-yard pass from Josh Bauder for the only Bronc touchdown. Karille Appendaile kicked the PAT. Anaconda defeated Corvallis, 46-0. Darby lost to Drummond, 44-6. Matt Robbins had a six-yard scoring run for the Tigers.