Cats crush Chiefs, 55-16, host Libby in Homecoming game
By JOE SOVA
Hungry Horse News
Capitalizing on five Ronan turnovers, Columbia Falls opened Northwest A Conference football play by rolling to a 55-16 victory.
Junior tailback Josh Wilson rushed for 153 yards as the Wildcats improved to 3-1 overall. They host a potent Libby squad in CFHS' Homecoming game at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28.
The Cats turned three first-quarter turnovers into touchdowns, reminiscent of CFHS' win over Stevensville a week earlier.
"Our defense continues to play well," Cats head coach John Thompson said. "The kids are carrying out assignments. We did a real nice job of shutting down their running game."
CFHS held the Chiefs to 32 yards on the ground. Ronan had 185 yards passing.
"We did a nice job with the takeaway thing," Thompson said. "It's nice to get those turnovers."
Tanner Perry and Steven Brennan had interceptions, and Kelly Houle, Wilson and Fairbank recovered Ronan fumbles.
After the recovery of a Ronan fumble on the Chiefs' first possession, Fairbank capped a 39-yard drive with a 15-yard touchdown run. Mackey Nolan kicked the conversion.
Ronan mounted a quick drive and scored on a 16-yard pass from Mike Fisher to Tyson Noyes.
The Cats scored the next 21 points, though, to take control. Again with a short field, CFHS drove 32 yards after another fumble recovery — scoring on Wilson's one-yard run. Perry picked off a Fisher pass and the Cats hit paydirt again — on a 30-yard Fairbank run.
CFHS padded its lead on a safety early in the second period when a bad shotgun snap was batted through the end zone by a Chief. After the free kick, the Cats lead grew to 28-6 on Wilson's nine-yard run and Nolan's conversion kick.
Ronan converted a 25-yard field goal late in the first half and the CFHS lead was 28-9 at halftime.
The Cats scored twice more, on runs by Brennan and Wilson and the lead mounted to 43-9 as CFHS pulled away. After a Ronan score, the Cats added two more touchdowns — on a 15-yard pass from Mitch Wassam to Perry and Dave Wilson's 25-yard run.
CFHS had 390 yards of total offense, 323 rushing and 57 passing. Fairbank and Michael Hader each rushed for 60 yards. Nolan was 3-for-7 passing for 42 yards with one interception. Wassam was 1-for-1 for 15 yards and one touchdown.
Columbia Falls 19 9 21 6 — 55
Ronan 6 3 7 0 — 16
CF — Fairbank 15 run (Nolan kick)
Ron — Noyes 16 pass from Fisher (kick failed)
CF — J. Wilson 1 run (kick failed)
CF — Fairbank 30 run (run failed)
CF — Safety, ball out of end zone
CF — J. Wilson 9 run (Nolan kick)
Ron — Ronan 25 FG
CF — Brennan 12 run (J. Wilson run)
CF — J. Wilson 1 run (Nolan kick)
Ron — Courville 3 run (Luckau kick)
CF — Perry 15 pass from Wassam (run failed)
CF — D. Wilson 25 run (kick failed)
CFHS hosts Libby for Homecoming
By JOE SOVA
Hungry Horse News
If the game shakes out based on what the teams look like on paper, the Columbia Falls-Libby game on Friday night (Sept. 28) could go right down to the wire.
The 3-1 Cats host the 5-0 Loggers in CFHS' Homecoming game. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
"They've been exceptionally tough the last few years," CFHS head coach John Thompson said of Libby.
The Loggers reached the state semifinals last season, losing on a field goal in the final seconds.
"They're bit, physical and strong," Thompson said.
Libby is averaging 40 points per game compared to 35.5 for CFHS.
The Loggers are led by junior quarterback Joel Fuller, who has thrown for 1,297 yards and 15 touchdowns in the first five games. Zach Rowan has caught 20 passes for 541 yards and eight TD's — averaging 27 yards a catch. Senior Jeremy Chumley has rushed for 491 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Fuller can also run with the ball.
"When he breaks containment he's a tough threat," Thompson said.
Led by junior Josh Wilson, CFHS leads the Northwest A in rushing with 1,033 yards through the first four games. The Cats are averaging 258 yards a game on the ground. Wilson has 474 yards and five rushing touchdowns. Michael Hader is No. 1 in the league in average carry at 8.6 yards an attempt. Chase Fairbank has eight catches for 150 yards. Mackey Nolan is 20-for-42 passing for 297 yards while Mitch Wassam is 7-for-14 for 100 yards.
Defensive comparison shows the Cats and Loggers close, but Libby has the edge in rushing defense. The Loggers are giving up only 78 yards rushing per game and CFHS 118. Libby has allowed a total of 50 points in five games and CFHS has given up 77 in four contests. The Loggers have 15 interceptions and the Cats have nine pickoffs.
"We'll have to take care of the football offensively and try to sustain some drives and put some points on the board," Thompson said. "We need to protect the football. You don't want to give them a short field."
Given the magnitude of Friday's game, Thompson feels the Cats will handle the Homecoming atmosphere in a positive manner.
"It can always provide some distractions," the coach said of Homecoming. "We're going to be ready to play one of the best teams in the state. Libby has had our number for several years. Getting the kids focused won't be a problem."