Cats nip Corvallis 27-26; face Billings Central

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

With an opportunity to extend their season, the Wildcats came through.

Seeing a 20-0 lead over Corvallis in the first round of the Class A football playoffs evaporate during a nightmarish third period, Columbia Falls scored the go-ahead touchdown — then stopped the Blue Devils on what could have been the winning two-point conversion and squeaked out a thrilling 27-26 home-field victory.

The Wildats have earned a shot at unbeaten and defending state champion Billings Central in the quarterfinals. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Saturday at Wendy's Field at Daylis Stadium in Billings.

"Our kids found a way to win while facing adversity," CFHS head coach John Thompson said.

CFHS scored twice in the first period — but not before stopping Corvallis deep in Wildcat territory. Corvallis tried a fake field goal on a fourth-and-7 at the CFHS 13-yard-line. But Kyle Howell recovered a Blue Devil fumble in mid air and the Cats took over at the 14.

Stephen Baumgartner — CFHS' big-play senior — then rambled 73 yards for a touchdown.

On Corvallis' next possession, Baumgartner forced a fumble and the Cats recovered at the Blue Devil 20. The Cats capitalized as quarterback Mitchell Wassam fumbled a shotgun snap, scrambled and tossed to Mackey Nolan. The senior headed for the end zone, and CFHS led, 13-0, with :45 left in the first period. Nolan's conversion kick was wide.

Despite a spectacular leaping catch by Tanner Perry on a pass from Wassam, the Cats could not finish the drive — losing a fumble at the Blue Devil 15.

But after a Corvallis punt, the Cats took a 20-0 lead with 2:17 left in the half on a four-yard run by Baumgartner.

Corvallis drove inside the Cat 10-yard-line to start the third. But CFHS held on fourth down.

After a Cats punt, Corvallis showed its explosive nature. Drew Zeiler hit Tyler Bongard on a slant pattern, and Bongard raced for the score on a 58-yard play. Mahlone Jessop kicked the point.

Less than two minutes later, the Blue Devils were on the board again. Austin Byron blocked a Nolan punt and recovered in the end zone for another touchdown. The kick closed the margin to 20-14.

Corvallis then recovered an unexpected onside kick. A 33-yard pass from Zeiler to Bongard set up Matt Smith's 3-yard scoring run with 3:50 remaining in the third period. Three touchdowns in a span of just 2 1/2 minutes to tie the game. After a high snap the conversion kick was wide.

After an exchange of punts, the Cats got what they desperately needed, a sustained drive. Three plays after a 42-yard run by Baumgartner, the Cats were faced with a fourth-and-3 at the Corvallis 12-yard-line. Woody ran through a gaping hole for the go-ahead score.

The conversion kick was wide, but a running into the kicker penalty gave the Cats a second chance. Nolan's kick was true, thanks to holder Wassam's snag on a high snap, and CFHS led 27-20 with still 9:31 to go in the game.

Later in the period, Rodee Anderson picked off a Wassam pass, but the Cats' defense held at their own 37. Moments later, a 37-yard TD run by Baumgartner was nullified due to a penalty, and Corvallis had another chance.

After converting a fourth-down play, the Blue Devils got within a point on a 35-yard run by Smith with 1:21 remaining. Blue Devils head coach Russ Hendrickson sent his PAT team on the field, but called a time out. In a do-or-die situation, the choice was made to go for two — and the win.

Byron took a pitch to the left. He cut upfield, but Nolan got a hand on Bryon's ankle and he went down — about a foot short of the goal line.

Corvallis recovered the ensuing onside kick, but was flagged for being offside. After the penalty, Nolan grabbed the second onside kick, and the Cats ran out the clock to advance to the state semifinals.

Baumgartner finished the game with 157 yards rushing, and Nolan added 64. Wassam was 5-for-13 for 88 yards with one interception.