by Scott Sacry
#4 Florence over #6 Eureka
The #4 Florence Falcons (406mtsports.com rankings) traveled north to #6 Eureka on Friday, October 11 in a battle of two of Montana’s top Class B teams. In the end, Florence once again proved why they are the three-time defending state champions as they defeated the Lions 17-0.
The game was fairly close in terms of total yards gained, with Florence gaining 274 total yards (151 passing, 123 rushing) and Eureka gaining 258 total yards (120 passing, 138 rushing). But to win football games you have to score and you have to stop your opponent from scoring. Florence did both and won for the 6th straight time and improved to 6-1 on the season.
Florence’s quarterback Mason Arlington continued to impress, as the 6’1” senior threw two touchdown passes. The first one was a short pass to Drew Wagner, who rumbled 28 yards for the TD. The second, a perfect 44-yard over-the-shoulder strike to speedster Isaac Bates in the 3rd quarter. Florence kicker Cole Fowler made both PATs and also made a 26-yard field goal.
The Falcons host Thompson Falls (2-5) next week, then finish the regular season the following week, Oct. 25, against rival Missoula Loyola.
Hamilton’s upset bid falls short
The Dillon Beavers came into Hamilton on Thursday, October 10th riding high. They were 5-1 on the season and were the #3 ranked Class A team in the state (406mtsports.com). Their only loss was a 22-20 defeat to #1 Frenchtown.
Hamilton came into the game on the other end of the spectrum. The young Broncs team had been competitive, but were 1-4 on the season. In their last game they were defeated 42-0 by #1 Frenchtown.
From the outside looking in, it seemed like an easy win for Dillon. But someone forgot to tell Hamilton they were supposed to get blown out and the game came down to the wire. The Broncs played one of their best games of the year and almost pulled off the upset, but in the end they fell short, losing 13-14.
Hamilton, who plays two quarterbacks, Cooper Weston and Kaeden Gum, scored late in the 2nd quarter when Weston hit wideout Jackson Lubke for a 17-yard touchdown pass to tie the game 7-7 going into halftime.
Dillon scored on their first possession of the second half to take a 14-7 lead. Hamilton responded by scoring early in the 4th quarter on a Gum to Lubke touchdown pass. Unfortunately, the point after was no good, so Hamilton trailed 13-14.
Hamilton still had a chance to win the game in the 4th quarter. They had the ball at their own 20 yard line with two minutes left to play. Two long Weston passes to Lubke and wideout Jake McCarthy set Hamilton up on Dillon’s 35 yard line. But then a Weston pass was deflected and intercepted by the Beavers, and Dillon was able to run out the clock and win the game.
For Hamilton, Jackson Lubke had 6 catches for 85 yards and caught 2 touchdown passes. Gum had 61 yards rushing and 51 yards passing, while Weston passed for 102 yards. Also for Hamilton, Jake McCarthy had 4 catches for 68 yards.
Hamilton is now 1-5 on the season and plays at Corvallis (3-3) this Friday at 7 p.m. in an all-Bitterroot Valley matchup.
Stevensville 0, Whitefish 48
Stevensville hosted Whitefish on Friday, Oct. 11 and lost 48-0 to the visiting Bulldogs. The ‘Jackets are now 0-7 on the season. Their task doesn’t get any easier this week as they travel to Frenchtown on Friday to take on the top-ranked and undefeated Broncs.
Darby 28, St. Regis 42
Darby traveled to St. Regis on Friday, Oct. 11 for a Tiger on Tiger showdown. St. Regis jumped out to a 34-8 halftime lead, but Darby
fought back in the second half, outscoring St. Regis 20-8. But it wasn’t enough as Darby lost 42-28 and fell to 3-3 on the season.
For Darby, McCoy Townsend had 257 rushing yards and 97 return yards, John Dickens had 10 tackles to lead the Tigers defense, and offensive linemen Shannon Stewart, Tanner Shavers, and Keegan Goodwin all had strong performances blocking.
Darby plays a tough Seeley-Swan squad this Thursday at 7 p.m. under the lights in Darby.
Victor 20, Troy 62
Victor hosted Troy on Saturday, Oct. 12 and lost 20-62. Victor is now 1-6 on the season and has a bye this week before facing St. Ignatius in their final game of the season on Oct. 26.