Bigfork falls to Polson 48-13

By JORDAN DAWSON / Bigfork Eagle

Bigfork lost their second home game of the season in a spirited effort against Polson last Friday resulting in a disappointing 48-13 score.

The Pirates (2-0, 4-3) got on the board with their first possession and kept the momentum going throughout the first half.

"We did a lot of good things early," said Polson's head football coach Scott Wilson. "I thought we lost a lot of our intensity in the second half. Overall I thought it was a good effort on both sides of the ball."

Ryan Kelly caught a 29-yard pass from quarterback Craig Bagnell to score for the Pirates right out of the gate. They got close to scoring again on their next possession, but couldn't convert on fourth down. Ty Fouty came through for the Pirates on their third possession with a three-yard pass from Bagnell. The next possession Chris Alfiero added to the score with another touchdown for Polson on a 23-yard pass from Bagnell.

Bigfork (0-2, 0-5) couldn't seem to move the ball forward. With every possession came a penalty moving them backwards. In the second quarter they attempted to punt the ball away, but ended up allowing Polson to score on a safety because they had been backed up so many times.

"We are struggling with starting the football game with a level of intensity to keep the game competitive," said Bigfork head football coach Bruce Corbett.

Corbett spent the first half of the game coaching via headset from the press box. He said this was a technique that has worked well for him with former teams, and is something he also did at the Whitefish game.

"When you get up in the press box you can see what the other team is doing and make play-by-play decisions," Corbett said.

Polson scored a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter. Kyle Bangell scored the first on a seven-yard pass from Craig Bagnell. Tim Rausch made the second on a 24-yard run.

By mid-way through the third quarter Bigfork was behind by more than 35 points and the mercy rule was put into effect and a running clock was used.

The Vikings finally scored with about three minutes left in the third quarter when Travis Knoll caught a 78-yard pass from Christian Ker. They went for a two-point conversion with the hope of stopping the clock by bringing the score within 35 points, but they were unsuccessful. Bigfork refused to give up, though, and scored again on their next possession as the fourth quarter began. The additional points scored by Garrett Pewe on a three-yard run finally stopped the clock.

"We have the ability to make big plays," Corbett said. "It's there, and we're getting flashes of it. We're working on consistency."

The Pirates put the clock back in motion though with their seventh touchdown of the night, scored by Alfiero on a 72-yard pass play from Craig Bagnell.

"When we stay focused the defense performs well," Corbett said. "Offensively the success we had in the second half was there in the first, but we didn't have the follow through on defense."

The Pirates were noticeably bigger than the Vikings. Their line outweighed Bigfork's by 30 to 50 pounds.

"The size was everything," Corbett said.

Injuries added to the problem. Although Polson had their share of boys injured during the game, they had the depth to keep it from dragging them down.

"We're still at a point where when we lose players we're back-filling with inexperienced players," Corbett said. "We were really beat up. It was a very physical game. As it turns out we have several players that have minor injuries that are keeping them out of practice."

Kyle Hall has a cracked hand. Scott Taylor is dealing with a minor concussion. Carson Sneed, Cody Dopps and Phil Sandry are all dealing with the flu.

"We're just trying to get everyone healthy enough to practice so they can play against Ronan.

Polson rushed for 169 yards on 21 carries and completed six of 13 of their passes for 154 yards. Bigfork was close behind with 121 rushing yards on 32 carries and they completed nine of their 28 passes for 146 yards.

Andrews rushed for 79-yards and made an interception for Polson. Craig Bagnell threw for 162-yards and two touchdowns.

Pewe rushed for 50-yards and Knoll rushed for 40-yards for the Vikings.

"Bigfork controlled the ball more than Polson in the second half," Wilson said. "They showed they made some good adjustments and started to have some success."

Stueart Koch, the newest addition to the Vikings football team, made his first field goal attempt and was successful. Koch, a senior, is on the varsity soccer team and recently became eligible to take up the position of kicker on the football team.

"It was good to see the ball go so high and so far through the cross bars," Corbett said. "He's having a good time out there and he's been very welcomed by the rest of the team. He's enjoying the challenge of playing a second sport."

Bigfork will take on Ronan next Friday at home in their Homecoming game.

"Ronan is another team that has been fighting for wins," Corbett said. "We feel that we can play well against them. This could be the week that we realize a win if we can get these guys healthy."

"We're better matched physically with size and speed to Ronan than we are to Polson. They have a new coach so they have a new scheme. They have some speed. We're going to have to change to a perimeter defense rather than defending against an inside running game like Polson had. We'll be ready for it though. It's just a matter of spending a little more time with the defense."

Polson 19 16 7 7-48

Bigfork 0 0 6 7 -13

Bigfork

Polson: Ryan Kelley 29 yard pass from Craig Bagnell (kick failed)

Polson: Ty Fouty 3 yard pass from C. Bagnell (pass failed)

Polson: Chris Alfiero 23 yard pass from C. Bagnell (C. Bagnell kick)

Polson: Safety

Polson: Kyle Bagnell 7 yard pass from C. Bagnell (C. Bagnell kick)

Polson: Tim Rausch 24 yard run (kick failed)

Polson: Brock Picard 1 yard run (C. Bagnell kick)

Bigfork: Travis Knoll 78 yard pass from Christian Ker (run failed)

Bigfork: Garrett Pewe 3 yard run (Stueart Koch kick)

Polson: Alfiero 72 yard pass form C. Bagnell (C. Bagnell kick)