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Broncs blank Vikings, 46-0

| September 6, 2007 11:00 PM

By FAITH MOLDAN

Bigfork Eagle

It was all Broncs in the Bigfork Vikings' season- and home-opener against non - conference opponent Hamilton. The Vikes were shut out 46-0.

Bigfork had chances, as Hamilton recorded a number of penalties during the game but it was the Broncs who struck first and never looked back.

Hamilton scored its first touchdown with 8:10 left in the first quarter and scored again less than two minutes later to make the score 0-13.

Bigfork took to the ground early, running the ball. The Vikes lost the ball on a handoff about a minute into the first quarter and despite two Hamilton penalties, the Broncs still made it to the end zone. Their first point after attempt was wide left.

The first Bigfork penalty came in the second quarter on a holding call on a quarterback keeper. The penalty was declined. The Broncs took over on downs after that, but the Bigfork defense kept the broncs from gaining too much yardage.

Donny Tudahl and Andrew Whittaker did much of the carrying for Bigfork. The Vikes gained a few yards on the ground before turning the ball over on downs with 4:53 in the first quarter. The Broncs' Ryan Turley, who scored Hamilton's second touchdown, carried the ball for Hamilton after another Bronco penalty. A Bigfork interception by Mason Shoultz stopped the Hamilton drive for the endzone and placed the Vikes at the 38-yard line with just over three minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Britt Farley almost intercepted the ball for Hamilton on a pass intended for Troy Bolivar from Bigfork quarterback Carson Sneed. The Broncs eventually got the ball after a turnover on downs and used that to score another touchdown. Hamilton quarterback Jason Schallenberger connected with Turley to make the score 0-20 with 13.1 seconds left on the clock.

The Bigfork defense kept the Broncs at bay in the second quarter before Hamilton scored again. The Broncs faked a punt and gained yardage. Another flag on Hamilton cost the Broncs some yards, but a handoff to Turley gave them another first down. Two plays later the Broncs made the score 27-0.

An interception by the Broncs' Allen McCarty put the Broncs back in scoring range. Brock Anderson scored Hamilton's final touchdown of the first half with 6:29 on the clock. They led 0-33 at halftime.

Turley made a mad dash for the endzone in the third quarter for Hamilton. His run down the right side was called back on another Hamilton penalty. With the ball back at the 16-yard line, the Broncs made steady progress with Turley running the ball much of the time.McCarty caught Schallenberger's touchdown pass with just over six minutes remaining in the third quarter. The point after was no good and the score settled at 0-39.

It looked as if Hamilton would score again soon after the Vikings gained possession of the ball. A quarterback keeper went bad and the Broncs recovered the Bigfork fumble. Bigfork kept Hamilton from scoring any more in the third quarter, but the Broncs scored about 50 seconds into the fourth quarter.

After making the score 0-46, the Broncs attempted an onside kick that was recovered by Bigfork's Travis Knoll. A flag on Bigfork and on Hamilton kept the pace of the game slow in the fourth quarter, as the Vikes maintained possession. Sneed attempted a pass to Bolivar just past the five minute mark, but it was incomplete and the Vikes were moved back on a holding penalty. Tudahl rushed for some yardage on second down and Sneed carried the ball for another 12 yards. On fourth down, with eight yards to go Bigfork turned the ball over on downs. Hamilton did not score in the final minute of play.

Bigfork faces the Stevensville Yellowjackets in another non-conference matchup at home Friday. The game kicks off at 7 p.m.