Dogs set to face Cats during homecoming

The upcoming Whitefish High School football season is shaping up to be a ton of fun for Bulldog fans. The 2012 schedule features traditional battles and a few surprises.

Whitefish opens the season Aug. 25 by hosting the long-running railroad game with Havre. The Blue Ponies have dominated the matchup for the past few years and won last year’s game 54-25. This is one of only two afternoon games this season.

The nonconference schedule continues with games at Hamilton, Browning and a special meeting with Hardin in Butte Sept. 15. Both Whitefish and Hardin had that week open, but both coaches said they would rather play a game. The two teams will meet at Montana Tech that Saturday at 2 p.m.

The conference schedule kicks off with Libby Sept. 21 at home, then an away game at Polson. Whitefish lost both of those meetings last season, 28-25 to the Loggers, then 53-32 to top-rated Polson.

The biggest highlight this year will be the rivalry game with Columbia Falls Oct. 5, which also happens to be Whitefish’s homecoming game.

The Dogs vs. Cats matchup is traditionally one of the final games of the season, but all of the conference teams moved their schedules up a week this year.

Whitefish Athletic Director Jackie Fuller said she can’t remember the last time when the rivalry game was held on Whitefish’s homecoming.

“It just lined up that way,” she said. “It will be fun.”

Whitefish beat Columbia Falls 14-6 last year on the road in an unforgettable mud battle in the pouring rain.

Another nonconference home game at Belgrade is Oct. 12 and the regular season wraps up on the road at Frenchtown Oct. 19. Whitefish won both of those games last year en route to making the playoffs.

The 2012 playoffs begin Oct. 27.