Wildcats thump Browning, 42-7

By JOE SOVA

Hungry Horse News

Columbia Falls turned a trio of first-quarter turnovers into touchdowns as the Wildcats routed Browning 42-7 on Friday night in their season opener in Browning.

On the second play from scrimmage, Mackey Nolan picked off a Browning pass and returned it 39 yards for a touchdown. Josh Wilson intercepted the next Indians pass a minute later, setting up a 13-yard touchdown run by Michael Hader.

Still in the first quarter, Nolan again had an interception. The Cats capitalized, extending their lead to 20-0 with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Mitchell Wassam to Tanner Perry.

The Cats added to their lead when Nolan, sharing time at quarterback with Wassam, connected with Chase Fairbank on a 49-yard touchdown aerial. Nolan passed to Chase Grilley for the conversion to give CFHS a 28-0 lead.

"A couple of early turnovers helped," CFHS head coach John Thompson said. "We did a pretty good job of taking care of responsibilities."

Browning scored on a 27-yard pass later in the second period. It was 28-7 at halftime.

Mixing the run and pass well, the Cats scored on a 10-yard pass from Wassam to Wilson in the third period. Later in the quarter, Scott Palmer ran seven yards for a score.

The Cats had 405 yards of total offense, 249 rushing and 156 passing. Wilson had 92 yards on the ground. Eleven CFHS players carried the ball.

Nolan was 5-8-1 passing for 90 yards and Wassam 4-6-0 for 66 yards. Fairbank caught three passes for 89 yards. Other receivers: Grilley, 3-45; Perry, 2-16; and Wilson, 1-10.

"I was pretty pleased offensively. We had very few mistakes," Thompson said. "Transitioning from one quarterback to the other went well."

Butte Central brings a powerhouse team to town for the Cats' home opener on Friday. The Maroons are 2-0, blasting Anaconda 48-6 and Whitefish 39-7.

"They're a perennial playoff team," Thompson said of Butte Central. "They're very talented, very well coached. They are flat-out fast, they're quick."