WHITEFISH — A week after having their own homecoming game spoiled by the visitors, the Ronan football team returned the favor, defeating Whitefish 34-32 in the Bulldogs homecoming game on Friday night. The visiting Chiefs overcame five fumbles to hold on, stuffing the Bulldogs two-point conversion attempt in the final minute that would have tied the contest.

“It really was a good team effort,” head coach Jim Benn said.

The Chiefs started out with a little trickery. On the opening kickoff, they recovered their on-side kick, giving them good field position and the ball. Ronan drove down the field, scoring on senior running back Xavier Morigeau’s 17-yard run. They added a 14-yard touchdown run and a two-point conversion, giving the Chiefs a 16-0 lead early in the first quarter. Two more touchdown runs in the second quarter gave the Chiefs a 28-12 lead at half-time, a lead they wouldn’t relinquish despite a revived Bulldog offense in the second half.

“We probably would have beat them more soundly if we didn’t turn the ball over five times,” Benn said. “They scored a touchdown in the first half on a halfback pass and again in the second half, but the kids played good, solid coverage.”

A rushing touchdown and a long touchdown through the air in the third quarter gave Whitefish 14 points, and pulled them within two points of the Chiefs. Junior quarterback Jackson Jore answered in the fourth quarter, running 21 yards for a score to give the Chiefs an eight point lead.

“We rushed for over 360 yards as a team,” Benn said. “[Morigeau] had over 150, [junior Lucas Black] had 85 or 90, and Jackson [Jore] had some nice runs, including the winning touchdown.”

The Bulldogs wouldn’t give up, coming back down the field 70 yards for a touchdown with under a minute left, a two-point conversion all that separated the teams. The Chiefs stopped the Whitefish two point rushing attempt, sealing the victory.

“This is Ronan’s first significant conference win in years, so this is big, in Whitefish on their homecoming,” Benn said. “The kids respond to what we’re teaching them and we have a legitimate chance at playoffs.”

The Chiefs have the Sentinel junior varsity team scheduled for Saturday night, giving Benn a chance to rest some starters. On Oct. 16, Ronan will face Libby at home on senior night.