Last week, coach Bill Coleman said he expected Polson to run the ball right at the Cats.

And the Pirates did just that in a 43-20 drubbing last Friday.

Polson quickly put up 14 points in the first quarter. Runningback Tim Rausch scored on a one-yard run and then the Pirates blocked a punt and Riley Grogan ran it in from 22 yards out.

The Cats never fully recovered. The Cats defense gave the offense a couple of chances, intercepting Polson twice in the first half. Wayde Martinson and Matt Triplett each had picks. But the Cats couldn't stop the Pirates running game and the Cats' offense sputtered in the first half.

"We didn't tackle well," Coleman said. This week the team was going to focus on the fundamentals — blocking and tackling.

"We have to take care of the things that have cost us," he said. While Polson is certainly a good team, Coleman noted that the Cats had also had some errors that cost them the game.

All told, the Pirates had 54 carries for 338 yards. The score was 29-6 at halftime and the Pirates added another touchdown to start the second half to seal the win.

The Cats would muster a touchdown in the third and fourth quarters, but it was too little, too late. Quarterback Mitchell Wassam was 15 for 34 for 210 yards and one interception. He had problems with accuracy in the first half — it looked like there was a little too much homecoming juice in his throwing arm, as many of his early passes went high and long.

Receiver Kaleb Johnson caught eight passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Runningback Nathan Thompson had 13 carries for 74 yards. Wassam had eight runs for 15 yards. Martinson would suffer from a broken collarbone later in the game — an injury that knocks him out for the season.

The Cats (4-3, 2-1) now travel to Rockford Wash. to play Freeman High School Friday night before facing Whitefish at home Oct. 23.

The Freeman game isn't exactly a popular road trip. Most Northwest A teams have taken a bye this season, as Bigfork dropped out of class A. Coleman said he would have preferred a bye as well.

The team will work on fundamentals on the Washington trip and try to stay healthy for Whitefish.

The Cats have yet to win a game at home this year, which troubles Coleman. But he's confident the team can step up and play well against the Dogs — even if it is at home.

If the Cats win, they're assured a playoff berth. If they don't and Whitefish beats Polson this week, things get a little murkier. The goal is simple: Beat the Dogs.

"We don't want to back into the playoffs," Coleman said.

Polson 43, C. Falls 20

Polson 14 15 14 0 - 43

Columbia Falls 0 6 7 7 - 20

Polson - Tim Rausch 1 run (Kyle Bagnell kick)

Polson - Riley Grogan 22 block punt return (Bagnell kick)

Polson - Vince DiGiallonardo 1 run (Brock Picard pass from Bagnell)

Columbia Falls - Kaleb Johnson 35 pass from Mitchell Wassam (pass failed)

Polson - Joe Andrews 18 pass from DiGiallonardo (Bagnell kick)

Polson - Andrews 18 run (Bagnell kick)

Columbia Falls - Johnson 7 pass from Wassam (Wassam kick)

Polson - Andrews 27 run (Bagnell kick)

Columbia Falls - Dustin VonFeldt 1 pass from Wassam (Wassam kick)