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Schweikert optimistic despite loss to Hamilton

by Jeremy Weber Hungry Horse News
| October 9, 2019 7:31 AM

Columbia Falls head football coach Jaxon Schweikert saw a lot of good things from his squad Friday, despite the Wildcats’ 56-7 loss to second-ranked Hamilton.

The Wildcats fell behind 21-0 after one quarter and trailed 42-0 at the half, but Schweikert said it was the best performance he has seen for his young squad so far this season.

“I feel like we did a lot of things a lot better in this game than we have been, we were just outmanned,” he said. “Our pass protection was a lot better and we were throwing the ball much better. Mason (Peters) was snapping balls out on time because the offensive line gave him the best protection we have seen so far this season. We also ran the ball a lot better. We did a lot of things better, this was just easily the best team we have faced this season.”

The Wildcats managed 187 yards of total offense in the loss, led on the ground by Isaac Balla’s 38 yards on nine carries. Cade Morgan added 34 yards as he carried the ball four times.

Peters was 15 for 24 passing from the quarterback position for 121 yards and connected with Brad Nieves from 14 yards out for the Wildcats’ only touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter. Nieves finished with 71 receiving yards to lead all Wildcat players.

Hamilton finished the night with 594 yards of offense using a balanced attack that included 273 yards on the ground and 321 through the air.

“They broke a lot of tackles against us, but at least we were getting there,” Schweikert said. “Other teams didn’t have to break tackles against us because we weren’t getting there fast enough”

The Wildcats should have an easier time this week as they play host to 1-5 Corvallis Friday at 7 p.m.

“Corvallis is a much better matchup for us and it should be a winnable game, but we can’t take anything for granted,” Schweikert said. “We have to continue trying to get better.”