Wildcats drop stunner in OT to Stevensville

Hungry Horse News

Losing a football game is tough, but losing in overtime is even worse.

For the second straight game, the Columbia Falls Wildcats (1-2) dropped a nail-biter in overtime, losing 21-20 Friday night in Stevensville.

The Wildcats, trailing 13-6 in the fourth quarter, forced overtime on a 24-yard Josh Wilson scamper. The Cats opened the extra frame with the ball, scoring on a 3-yard Kevin Boyer run.

The extra point by Boyer was good, putting the Cats up 20-13.

Stevensville (3-0) took over and scored on a wild 10-yard pass from Luke Connors to Kyle Phillips, as the ball was tipped by a Yellowjacket tight end and a Wildcat defender before Phillips grabbed it for the touchdown.

Down by one, head coach Bob Connors decided to go for two points and the win, and Luke Connors found fullback Nick Flemmer open in the endzone for the score and the dramatic 21-20 victory.

Playing for most of the game without starting quarterback Chase Fairbank, who was knocked out in the first quarter with a concussion, the Wildcats were able to generate some offense through the air after the half, as Michael Hader stepped in and connected with Boyer on a 58-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter.

Head coach John Thompson was upset by the loss, but remained positive about his young team's performance.

"I told them I was proud of them," he said. "That's a team that really hammered us twice last year. Our kids did a great job of responding this year to adjustments we made."

Thompson said that the team remains upbeat despite the 1-2 record, saying that the Wildcats are focused on the upcoming conference season and a chance at a playoff berth.

"Our kids aren't discouraged at all, they know they've played two very good football teams," he said. "We might feel better about ourselves being 3-0, but we learned some lessons from these two losses … The conference season starts next week and that's what's important."

With the next game at Ronan, Thompson said the team will be working on consistency on both offense and defense before the conference games begin.

He added that Chase Fairbank has been cleared to play against Ronan.

In junior varsity action, the Wildcats (1-2) defeated Browning 33-6 and lost to Libby 23-6.

Chris Pound tossed four touchdowns against Browning, and the offense rolled to an easy victory.

Dan Peterson, Joe Dunigan, Devin Cady and Jordan Thompson had the touchdown receptions, and Steve Brennan added a 15-yard TD run.

The Freshman football Wildcats lost their first game to Bigfork and fell to 0-1 on the year.

Yellowjackets 21, Wildcats 20

C. Falls 0 0 7 6 7 - 20

Stevensville 7 6 0 0 8 - 21

S - Scott Thomas 8 run (Bridger Chambers kick)

S - Joe Sheldon 3 run (kick failed)

CF - Kevin Boyer 58 pass from Michael Hader (Boyer kick)

CF - Josh Wilson 24 run (kick failed)

CF - Boyer 3 run (Boyer kick)

S - Kyle Phillips 10 pass from Luke Connors (Nick Flemmer pass from Connors)