Page 60 - Flathead Beacon // 11.23.16

SPORTS
CCONTINUED FROM BACK PAGE
OLUMBIA FALLS — TROY
Andersen and the experienced
Beaverhead County Beavers stormed Columbia Falls and captured the Class A football championship 34-17 on Nov. 19, pulling o 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 cham- pionship since 2011. Columbia Falls, play- ing in its rst state championship since 1970, nished its best season in nearly 50 years with a 10-2 record.
In a much-anticipated title game in a town yearning for its rst football cham- pionship, more than 3,000 people perse- vered through snow urries and a sur- prising turnabout as the best o ense in Montana stalled in the cold mud of Sat- terthwaite 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 e ort — the high-powered Wildcats simply met their match last weekend.
“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 Uni- versity, who capped his impressive prep career with another ne quarterback per- formance, completing six of 15 passes for 167 yards 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 con- taining the spectacular Columbia Falls o ense. 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 rst half and held Columbia Falls scoreless in the second half. R.J. Fitz- gerald 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 accom- plished 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 o ense.”
Dakota Bridwell, Columbia Falls’ record-setting quarterback, nished 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, the most in Montana history, according to the Montana High School Association.
Bridwell connected with Wyatt Green for a 27-yard TD pass in the rst quarter to give the Wildcats an early lead. Bran- don Karberg added a 29-yard eld goal and the Wildcats led 10-6 after the rst quarter.
But in the second quarter, the momen- tum 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 con dence for the Wildcats. Bridwell was able to nd Trevor Hoerner on a 20-yard TD pass, but that was the nal time the Wildcats
ABOVE Wyatt Green rushes for a touchdown in the rst quarter. Dillon defeated Columbia Falls 34-17 in the Class A championship.
BELOW Trevor Hoerner hugs head coach Jaxon Schweikert after the game. GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
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NOVEMBER 23, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM