Cats blank Miles City, 48-0, in playoff opener

On a windy, but dry morning for the Wildcats, it was the opening round of the playoffs against the Miles City Cowboys, a rematch to last year’s narrow defeat 21-20 on the same field. But the Cats did not let emotions get in the way of victory with a great performance on defense and offense, and a 48-0 victory for Columbia Falls.

“Today our big emphasis was we were not going to turn the ball over,” coach Jaxon Schweikert said after the game. He credited the defense’s ability to hold the line on first down, hold them to third down and not give up key plays.

The Wildcats started with the ball at kick off, and junior Cody Schweikert ended their drive with a touchdown. The Cats were back with a stop by the defense on the next drive. The Cowboys were forced to punt, and gave up 6 more points to a Schweikert rushing touchdown. Going for two after a previously missed PAT by Kai Golan, Schweikert connected with junior Jace Hill to make it an even 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.

The Cats were on a roll. Schweikert connected with senior Justin Windauer in the end zone with a 25 yard touchdown throw on their next drive. The Cats would score once more on a rush by Schweikert to put them up 27-0 at the half.

The second half didn’t look much different. Windauer rushed a TD at the end of the third quarter followed by a 33-yard bomb to Jace Hill from Schweikert. Reggie Sapa had a TD with two minutes left in the fourth.

With the shutout by the defense, Schweikert gave kudos to the strong line and the DBs for stopping the play on first down.

Cody Schweikert was 20 for 23 passing for 249 yards and rushed for 87 yards on 16 carries and three touchdowns. Sapa carried the ball seven times for 53 yards and scored once. Windauer caught nine for 100 yards and scored once. Hill had a five yard reception on a 2-point conversion and a 33 yard score in the fourth.

“The D line and linebacker crew did such a great job knowing what to expect, they’ve been watching a lot of film so they knew what they were going to do. And our DBs were just lights out. They were in tight man-to-man coverage all across the field all day long. In their hip pockets all day long with no hesitation with some pretty fast kids. Total effective defensive effort,” Schweikert said.

“Everyone in the playoffs is good and have earned the right to be there, there’s no gimme, so you know you’re going to play a defense that’s pretty salty, that will be good athletes, well coached, and so you can get pushed against,” Schweikert said.

The Cats travel to Lewistown this week for the next round of the playoffs.

Lewistown is undefeated.

Game time is 1 p.m.

Miles City 0 0 0 0 - 0 Columbia Falls 14 13 7

14 - 48 CF — Cody Schweikert 6 run (kick failed), 8:46-1Q CF — Schweikert 1 run (Jace Hill pass from Schweikert), 1:27-1Q CF — Justin Windauer 25 pass from Schweikert (kick failed), 8:07-2Q CF — Schweikert 1 run (Kai Golan kick), 1:00-2Q CF — Justin Windauer 5 run (Golan kick), :57-3Q CF — HIll 33 pass from Schweikert (Mark Robison kick), 11:04-4Q CF — Reggie Sapa 17 run (Robinson kick), 1:58-4Q