Cats clobber Freeman in tune up for Dogs
Matt Triplett snares an interception against Polson earlier this season. The Cats will try to shake off a home field "disadvantage" where they haven't won a game this year and beat Whitefish Friday.
Several players couldn't travel because of the flu, and those who were healthy enough to play faced a five-and-half-hour bus trip to Freeman High School in Washington state, but the Columbia Falls football team overcame their adversity, held the Scotties scoreless in the first half, and won 34-6.
Kyle Howell returned the opening kickoff 85 yards, "and we established momentum from that time forward," said coach Bill Coleman. "We pretty much controlled the game."
Quarterback Mitchell Wassam ran for two red-zone touchdowns and kicked three field goals to lead the Cats' scoring. Receiver Kaleb Johnson caught a Wassam pass for another six points. The Cats came out of the Freeman game injury free, and the players that got the flu are recovering, Coleman said.
When the Cats play the Whitefish Bulldogs this Friday, they hope to end their winless streak on home turf this season. The key to success is simple, Coleman said: "We've got to make sure we're effective offensively"—and that means no three-and-out possessions. And on defense, the Cats must stop Whitefish's running game and force them to throw the ball, Coleman said.
"If we play our best, we can beat (Whitefish)," Coleman said.
Kickoff is 7 p.m., with a chance of rain and temperatures below 40 degrees. IIn other words, football weather.
If the Cats win, they're assured a playoff berth. But if the Cats lose and Ronan beats Polson, Ronan gets the playoff berth.
If Ronan loses and the Cats lose by more than 24, Whitefish is in the playoffs. If Ronan beats Polson and the Cats beat Whitefish, Columbia Falls could take the conference title.
Right now, Columbia Falls is 5-3 overall and 2-1 in conference.
Columbia Falls 34, Freeman 6
Freeman 0 0 0 6 — 6
Columbia Falls 9 1 6 9 0 — 34
CF — Howell 85 kickoff return (kick failed)
CF — Wassam 22 FG
CF — Johnson 36 interception return (Wassam)
CF — Wassam 27 FG
CF — Wassam 1 run (kick blocked)
CF — Wassam 1 run (kick failed)
CF — Wassam 23 FG
Fre — Richardson 2 run (kick failed)