Missed PATs result in loss against Broncs
Oh, for the want of a two-point conversion. Twice, the Columbia Falls football team couldn't convert in their loss to the Frenchtown Broncs 22-19 on the road Oct. 14.
The loss knocked the Wildcats out of the playoff hunt and gave Frenchtown its first win for the season.
The Cats played better ball than the week before against Whitefish. In the first quarter, Austin Barth recovered a Frenchtown fumble and the Cats drove 70 yards for a touchdown on a one-yard keeper by Barth.
The extra point was good, and the Cats were up 7-0. Frenchtown responded with a drive in the second quarter for a touchdown. Their two-point conversion was good to make it 8-7.
The Cats then drove into Frenchtown territory with about three minutes left in the quarter, but the Broncs picked off a Barth pass to squelch the threat. Frenchtown attempted a field goal after driving to the Cats' 22, but it was no good.
In the second half, the Cats were pinned down at their own one-foot line. Daniel Jones had a nice run to get the Cats out of the jam but fumbled, and the Broncs recovered at the 10-yard line. Frenchtown scored on fourth and goal from the one-yard line. Their two-point conversion was good to make it 16-7.
Frenchtown put on another touchdown drive later in the third to go up 22-7. That two-point conversion failed, but the Broncs had a comfortable lead. The Cats drove deep into Frenchtown territory and had eight downs to try to punch it into the end zone, thanks to two pass interference calls on the Broncs, but Columbia Falls couldn't score.
The Cats didn't give up, however. With 2:41 left, Barth hit Josiah Osborne on a 30-yard pass for a touchdown. The two-point conversion failed, making it 22-13.
The Cats then held the Broncs to three downs and out. With the ball back and 22 seconds left, Barth hit Parker Johnson on a 30-yard touchdown pass to make it 22-19. The two-point conversion attempt, however, failed again.
The Cats tried an on-side kick in the final 19 seconds, but the ball didn't go 10 yards before it went out of bounds. Frenchtown took possession and ran the clock out.
With the loss, the Cats fell to 2-5, 0-3 in conference.
Coach Bill Coleman saw some bright spots, despite the loss.
"It's disappointing to lose again," he said. "I was happy with the way we played. The team showed some resilience, and we definitely took a step in the right direction."
Barth ended the night 17-of-35 passing for 220 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions - although one pick was a bobbled ball.
"He had a good night," Coleman said of Barth.
The Cats travel next to Libby to wrap up the season.
"We have to play like we did on Friday night," Coleman said. "Just be competitive."
He said the Cats would try to limit the Loggers' passing game and try to stop the run.
Columbia Falls 7 0 0 12 - 19
Frenchtown 0 8 8 6 - 22
CF - Austin Barth 1 run (Barth kick)
F - Logan Fisher 1 run (Jackson Mahlum from John Chapman)
F - Fisher 1 run (Daniel Lebsock run)
F - Brydon Peacock 5 run (run failed)
CF - Josiah Osborne 30 pass from Barth (run failed)
CF - Parker Johnson 30 pass from Barth (run failed)