Dillon Captures Class A Championship in Columbia Falls

COLUMBIA FALLS — Troy Andersen and the experienced Beaverhead County Beavers stormed Columbia Falls and captured the Class A football championship 34-17 on Saturday, pulling off a methodical and dominating win that boosted their well-established reputation as a gridiron powerhouse.

Playing in its sixth consecutive title game, Dillon (10-1) won its fourth championship since 2011. Columbia Falls, playing in its first state championship since 1970, finished its best season in nearly 50 years with a 10-2 record.

In a much-anticipated title game in a town yearning for its first football championship, more than 3,000 people persevered through snow flurries and a surprising turnabout as the best offense in Montana stalled in the cold mud of Satterthwaite Memorial Field.

With Columbia Mountain shrouded in gray clouds in the backdrop, the result was Columbia Falls’ lowest scoring game of the season, but not for a lack of effort — the high-powered Wildcats simply met their match on Saturday.

“As long as our kids try to play right, try to play hard, try to do all these things we’ve taught them — win, lose, or draw, we’re always proud of them, and we’re very proud of them right now,” Columbia Falls head coach Jaxon Schweikert said afterward. “They played as hard as they could and they did everything they could … Dillon is a good team. They just beat us. There was no doubt about that.”

Dillon had a go-to leader in Andersen, a senior destined for Montana State University, who capped his impressive prep career with another fine quarterback performance, completing six of 15 passes for 167 yards passing with one touchdown and one interception. He ran for 86 yards and three touchdowns. He also returned an interception for a score.

The Dillon defense accomplished what few teams could this season by containing the spectacular Columbia Falls offense. The Beavers forced six turnovers and limited Columbia Falls to 45 yards rushing in the game, 85 yards overall in the second half.

Dillon scored 21 straight points to end the first half and held Columbia Falls scoreless in the second half. R.J. Fitzgerald rushed for 39 yards and Graden Greenslade had 49 yards on the ground.

“The kids executed the game plan and did a superb job,” Dillon head coach Rick Nordahl said.

“I’m proud of what our kids accomplished here because they shut down a high-powered team that was setting all kinds of state records. I’m just dang proud that our kids came out and got a victory and shut down that high-power offense.”

Dakota Bridwell, Columbia Falls’ record-setting quarterback, finished 20 of 47 for 242 yards passing, two touchdowns, four interceptions and a fumble. Columbia Falls also fumbled a punt return.

Bridwell ended his remarkable prep career with 49 TD passes this season, most in Montana history, according to the Montana High School Association.

Bridwell connected with Wyatt Green for a 27-yard TD pass in the first quarter to give the Wildcats an early lead. Brandon Karberg added a 29-yard field goal and the Wildcats led 10-6 after the first quarter.

But in the second quarter, the momentum picked up and carried Dillon. Andersen scored three touchdowns and the Dillon defense pressured Bridwell in the pocket numerous times, leading to stalled drives and sullied confidence for the Wildcats. Bridwell was able to find Trevor Hoerner on a 20-yard TD pass, but that was the final time the Wildcats found the end zone. Hoerner finished with seven catches for 101 yards.

“We just weren’t as precise as we usually are when we’re throwing. Our timing was a little off,” Schweikert said. “Our passing attack just seemed to be off. We just have to go watch film to see what we did wrong.”

Earlier this season, Columbia Falls was able to rally from a halftime deficit to beat Dillon.

Not this time.

Trailing 34-17 at half, Columbia Falls found a momentary spark in the third quarter and marched down the field before an interception in the end zone quickly stifled the excitement in the crowd and on the Wildcat sidelines.

From there on out, the Beavers showed their experience in big games, managing the clock expertly and keeping Columbia Falls’ offense off the field. The Wildcats only ran six plays on offense in the fourth quarter as the clock quickly wound down.

After the game concluded, Schweikert huddled the emotional team together and reminded them of the grand accomplishment of this season, the best in generations. A proud tradition has developed here in Columbia Falls, and Schweikert reminded his younger players how it’s up to them to carry on this legacy. He also thanked his seniors for an unforgettable season.

“Our seniors set a really great example about how to conduct themselves in the school, outside school, on the field and in practice,” Schweikert said. “And we really feel that our young guys really learn more from the seniors than what they do from the coaches. We really hoped they learned a lot from those kids because those are some of the best kids I’ve ever coached with in all these years.”

Dillon         6       28     0       0       — 34

Columbia Falls    10     7       0       0       — 17

First Quarter

CF — Wyatt Green 27 pass from Dakota Bridwell (Brandon Karberg kick)

D — Troy Andersen 26 interception return (run failed)

CF — Karberg 29 field goal

Second Quarter

D — Andersen 5 run (kick good)

CF — Trevor Hoerner 20 pass from Bridwell (Karberg kick)

D — Andersen 7 rush (kick good)

D — Brent Tezak 25 pass from Andersen (kick good)

D — Andersen 15 run (kick good)