Bulldogs corral Ponies in home opener

When Whitefish football coach Chad Ross set out the team goals for this season, it was all about finishing. Finishing tackles, finishing plays and finishing games.

Saturday afternoon at the Dawg Pound the Bulldogs didn’t just finish, they terminated the Blue Ponies of Havre. After a rough and slow first half marred by dozens of yellow flags thrown to the turf, Whitefish found its footing in the final 24 minutes en route to a 45-24 season-opening victory. The win brings home the bronze railroad trophy that stays with the winning team of the traditional Havre-Whitefish football game.

“It was just a great all-around effort,” Whitefish coach Chad Ross said. “At halftime I told the guys, ‘They’re playing horrible, we’re playing horrible. We just need to take a deep breath and act like a marathon runner and finish strong.’”

If this game was a marathon race, Whitefish made the final mile look like the 100-yard dash.

The Bulldogs blew open the game in the fourth with 27 unanswered points. The finishing charge was led by a veteran offensive line, a freshman quarterback making solid decisions and a surprise defensive performance from freshman Jed Nagler.

The rally started when senior running back Shane Marcial pulled in a nice strike from quarterback Luke May in the fourth to tie the game at 24-24. Marcial used his strength to stiff-arm a Havre defender as he powered into the endzone.

The play of the game came on the next series, just as the Blue Ponies’ offense was creeping into Bulldog territory. Havre running back Thurman Holdsclaw took a pitch and looked to slash upfield, but as he made a cut, Nagler came into view and punched the ball loose. Nagler dove and recovered the ball on the 31-yard line, stopping what would prove to be Havre’s last gasp.

On the ensuing drive, Hugh Ramlow set a big block that let Marcial break open for a 18-yard TD run to put the Dogs on top 31-24 with 1:40 remaining.

Logan Harwood picked off a pass on Havre’s next possession, setting up another Marcial TD scamper. As if the game wasn’t sealed at that point, Nagler put the final stamp on it when he intercepted a pass for a pick-six TD with just a few seconds on the clock.

“We were just a little nervous at the start,” Harwood said after the game. “It’s the first game of the season, and we have some young guys out there, but we settled down.”

The senior receiver praised the work of his freshman quarterback.

“Luke is young, but he’s got a strong arm,” Harwood said, who finished with 10 catches for 217 yards, including a 68 yard bomb in the second quarter. “I’m excited about playing with Luke.”

It didn’t take too long for Harwood and May to find their chemistry. The duo connected on a 36-yard pass for the first score of the game.

May tallied 308 yards in his debut and connected for three TDs. He also had 24 yards on the ground and tossed just one interception.

“Not a bad opening debut,” Ross said. “But that has to do with his hard work in the preseason. He was totally prepared and totally ready.”

The veteran offensive line is to credit, too, Ross said.

“They gave Luke time to make decisions and opened up our running game,” he said.

Marcial finished with four touchdowns, three coming on the ground, and 150 yards on 18 carries.

Sean Foley pulled in three catches for 64 yards.

Four freshman played in the game — May, Nagler, Chris Park and Brian Fauntleroy.

“They each made an impact on the field,” Ross said.

Nagler was supposed to play only special teams, but his number was called when Gage Smith went down with a sprain.

“Jed showed great athleticism,” Ross said. “He has great speed and can cover the field.”

Ross commended the coaching staff, offensive coordinator Eric May, defensive coordinator Brett Bollweg and special teams coach Ryan Boyle.