Cats thump Pirates on the road in statement win
Banyan Johnston with a throw earlier this season.
Hungry Horse News
The Columbia Falls football team likely turned some heads across the state as they blanked Polson on the road 42-0, for their second shutout in as many weeks.
Sophomore quarterback Banyan Johnston was 27 of 30 passing for 309 yards and four touchdowns while Reggie Sapa ran in for two more in the blowout win.
Johnston connected with Easton Brooks once, Cooper Ross twice and Jett Pits for touchdowns. Brooks had 107 yards receiving in six catches and Ross had seven for 91; Pitts had 5 for 67 and Jory Hill had five for 20 yards.
Sapa rushed 15 times for 35 yards.
The Wildcats had 359 yards total offense, while holding Polson to just 159, though coach Kelly Houle said they had about 80 yards of that after the second string came in late in the game.
“We wanted to get out there and get our offense clicking,” Houle said. “And we did that.”
Defensively Austin Dodson had 11 tackles to lead the team, while Trip Ross had 10 tackles and a half sack. Pitts had seven tackles and Johnston had four tackles and a sack.
The offensive line played much better after a slew of penalties against Whitefish the week before.
Houle said Johnston and offensive coordinator Austin Green worked on setting Johnston’s feet and throwing quickly. The practice is coming to fruition. Meanwhile, defensive coordinator Austin Barth has the defense firing on all cylinders.
“It’s progression,” Houle noted. “Trust the process.”
Houle said there’s still work to be done as they have a bye this week. They still want to get the running game going better and refine other elements of their game.
They travel to Libby for a conference matchup on Oct. 11.