Homecoming heartbreak

Two touchdown connections between brothers Mac and Willie Roche — including one in the final minute of play — weren't enough to overcome an early 16-point deficit on Friday against a tough Ronan team.

The Bulldogs (3-2, 0-1) came up 1 yard short on a final two-point conversion attempt with 58 ticks on the clock as they dropped their first conference game, 34-32.

"That game is going to be a great memory," Bulldog head coach Patrick Dryden said about the rainy Homecoming game. "Even though we lost, coming down to the final play, the noise from the crowd was incredible. I couldn't hear the other coaches in my headset.

"We got off to a slow start. You've got to give Ronan credit, they played tremendously."

The Chiefs jumped out to an early lead after they recovered an onside kick during the opening kickoff.

"The onside kick didn't catch us by surprise," Dryden said. "The last thing I said before the game was, 'Watch for the onside.' They just executed it perfectly."

The Chiefs capped off the 44-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run by standout running back Xavier Morigeau.

Morigeau ran for more than 150 yards in the game and scored two touchdowns.

"Morigeau is as good as we've got in the league," Dryden said about Ronan's running back. "He can put a lick on you."

Whitefish had trouble early defending Morigeau and the wing-T offense presented by the Chiefs as they easily moved the ball down field on their first two drives.

"You can't duplicate that in practice," Dryden said. "We've got to make some improvements defensively. If we're going to be successful in the league, we've got to take strides defensively."

Ronan capitalized a second time after the Bulldogs turned over the ball on downs in their opening drive. Chiefs quarterback Lincoln Jore scampered into the end zone on a 12-yard run to put Ronan in charge, 16-0.

The 'Dogs found the end zone for the first time on a critical third-down play when Willie Roche brought in a pass from running back Daniel Simmons on a halfback option. Simmons rolled to his right at the 17-yard line and tossed a perfect pass down the field to Willie Roche in the back of the end zone.

Ronan coughed up the ball on the ensuing drive to put the 'Dogs on their own 45 yard line and in great position to tighten the score.

Whitefish moved the ball 54 yards through the air, with Conner Silliker and Willie Roche both bringing in passes. Mac Roche capped off the impressive drive with a 1-yard quarterback-keeper run into the end zone.

Ronan tacked on another 12 points in the second quarter to widen the gap to 28-12 going into the half.

"At halftime, we made some scheme adjustments defensively," Dryden said. " I like that there wasn't any panic or finger-pointing going on. That's when you find out what you're made of. I was proud of their character."

The adjustments made at the half worked for Whitefish as they held the Chiefs to just six points in the final two periods.

Under a steady rain, Ronan fumbled the ball on their opening drive to put the 'Dogs on the 43-yard line to start the third quarter.

Derek Crittenden — crowned Homecoming king at halftime — made a stellar first-down catch at the 25-yard line, and Simmons took care of business from there, running the ball into the end zone on two plays to cut the Ronan lead to 18-28.

"I thought Simmons had an outstanding game offensively," Dryden said. "He is running with his pads low to the ground and manages to pick up at least five or six yards every time.

"Our center, Jacob Washer, played a solid game, too. He held his own against a very tough Ronan team."

Later in the third, another Ronan fumble led to Mac Roche hooking up with Willie Roche on a 17-yard touchdown pass to the back corner of the end zone, closing the score to 26-28.

"Willie has really stepped it up offensively," Dryden said.

The 'Dogs let Jore slip into the end zone late in the fourth to widen the gap to 26-34 with under three minutes to play.

The ensuing Whitefish drive started at their 29-yard line with 2:57 on the clock.

In a play worthy of the highlight reel, Simmons received a pitch behind the line of scrimmage then tossed the ball to quarterback Mac Roche who snuck 15 yards down field for the pass. The trick play put the 'Dogs on the 30-yard line and in scoring position.

Two calls later, Mac Roche hooked up with Willie Roche on a 22-yard touchdown pass to bring the 'Dogs within two points.

With the crowd as loud as it's been all season, the 'Dogs lined up to try and punch in a two-point conversion to tie the game.

"The two-point conversion is difficult," Dryden said. "We felt like we should go with our strength and play man-to-man."

Simmons took the hand-off for a run up the gut, but was met head-on by Ronan's defensive line. With a crack of the pads, he was stopped one yard short of the end zone and the 'Dogs' comeback attempt was over.

Simmons tallied 114 yards on 20 attempts with one touchdown in the game, and Willie Roche brought in eight catches for 134 yards and three touchdowns.

Mac Roche tossed for 233 yards and completed 18 of 27 passes.

Whitefish plays at Libby on Oct. 10.