Some teams are defined by their toughness or athleticism. Those are both traits that the Bigfork Vikings definitely possess, but that is not what defines this football team.
Put simply, these boys hate to lose.
Since dropping their first game of the regular season – 28-21 to Choteau – the Vikings have bowled over opposing teams with dominating efficiency, outscoring their last nine opponents 413-34.
That’s not a typo. It’s a statement.
“There’s a bunch of those boys who remember the last couple of years and what happened and how their seasons ended,” head coach Todd Emslie said. “In the end, only one team can win, and that’s tough, but these guys don’t like that feeling. They really don’t like to lose.”
Bigfork (9-1) is blazing into the semifinal round of the Class B playoffs determined to keep the season alive after trouncing Malta 41-0.
Bigfork hosts Huntley Project at 1 p.m., Saturday. The winner advances to the state championship game against the winner of Broadwater and Conrad.
The Vikings are playing in the semifinals for the third time since 2010, when Bigfork won its first state championship. In 2012, Malta defeated Bigfork 23-13 in the semifinals. The Vikes lost in the quarterfinals in 2011 (42-0 to Malta) and last season (34-28 to Baker).
This weekend will be arguably their toughest test, taking on Huntley Project (11-0), the top team from District 3B.
“They’re big. They’re much bigger than anything we’ve seen all year,” Emslie said.
One of the top-ranked teams all season, Huntley Project dropped the No. 1 ranked squad in Class B, Fairview, in the quarterfinals. Running back Kian Brown, one of the Red Devils’ playmakers, rushed 33 times for 125 yards and two touchdowns to lead Huntley Project past Fairview, 21-7. Brown has racked up 1,484 yards and 17 TDs this season and will be the primary threat this weekend in Bigfork.
“They run the ball really well. And they’ve got a quarterback who makes big plays,” Emslie said. “That makes them dangerous. That makes them a good November-type football team. Just like us.”
Emslie has confidence in this latest Vikings squad, and there’s good reason.
Last weekend’s romp over Malta was the defense’s fourth shutout in five games; the only touchdown Bigfork has allowed since Oct. 3 was in the final minutes of the Vikings’ 44-7 first-round rout of Deer Lodge. In the last five games, Bigfork has steamrolled opponents 229-7.
“They’ve been in a lot of playoff games. They’re competitors and they know how to win,” Emslie said of this latest squad.
Bigfork has one of the best offensive weapons in the state in senior quarterback Josh Sandry. The University of Montana recruit is as versatile as he is competitive. This fall he has thrown for 1,371 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has completed 60 percent of his passes. He’s also rushed for 688 yards and another 15 TDs. It’s worth noting that he has piled up these stats mostly in the first half before he takes the sidelines in Bigfork’s big wins.
“Josh is an unbelievable competitor, an unbelievable athlete and a great leader,” Emslie said. “People just feed off of him. He is like a spark plug.”
There’s also Vinny Quirk, a senior running back, who has combined for 1,015 yards and 20 TDs. On defense, Quirk is one of the leaders, as he showed last weekend, notching 10.5 tackles.
Adam Jordt is another standout on defense, with three interceptions and 25 tackles this season. On offense, Jordt has 301 yards receiving and three TDs. Isaac Martel has 336 yards receiving and four touchdowns.
“Really all the teams that are left are high quality,” Emslie said. “We just want to keep getting better and improving.”
Class A Playoffs
In wild fashion, Whitefish rallied back from a 20-7 deficit to keep its season alive, defeating Miles City 34-29 in the quarterfinal round of the Class A playoffs.
Trailing 28-29 with 1:15 left, quarterback Luke May found Jed Nagler for a 35-yard touchdown on fourth and seven. The touchdown proved to be the game winner after the Bulldog defense clamped down, sealing the victory.
“The first half it seemed like we were playing a little slow. At halftime, I told our team just relax, take a deep breath and play like we know how to play. That’s what they did and it was a good playoff win,” head coach Chad Ross said. “That was a great win for our program and a great win for our players.”
The Bulldogs (8-2) host Butte Central (9-1) at 1 p.m., Saturday in the semifinal round of the Class A playoffs.
Butte Central defeated Laurel 27-12 in the quarterfinals.
Whitefish trailed 20-7 at half but several players shined in the comeback victory. Jack Streibich had eight catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Jed Nagler had five catches for 77 yards and two TDs and quarterback Luke May finished 18-for-24 for 249 yards. Chris Park rushed five times for 67 yards and a TD.
“They were excited but at the same time they were already looking at themselves and saying, ‘Let’s celebrate but let’s get back to work and keep things going,’” Ross said. “We can still get a lot better and our kids are hungry to get better. They know they still haven’t played their best football and we know we need to.”
The winner advances to the Class A championship game against the victor of Billings Central and Dillon.
Class AA Playoffs
Glacier keeps rolling.
Logan Jones and Thomas Trefney each scored three touchdowns apiece and the Wolfpack dismantled Billings West 58-8 in the quarterfinals of the Class AA playoffs.
Glacier (11-0) hosts Missoula Big Sky (8-3) at 7 p.m., Friday in the semifinals at Legends Stadium.
Big Sky eliminated Billings Skyview 28-21 in the quarterfinals.
Glacier cruised past Big Sky earlier this season, 49-13, in Missoula.
Against West, the Pack tallied 464 yards of offense and held the Golden Bears to 127 yards.
The winner advances to the state championship game against the winner of Helena and Great Falls C.M. Russell.