POLSON — Relying on a triple-headed running attack, the Pirates scored 35 first-half points in a 48-27 homecoming romp over Libby.

The Pirates found themselves in a 7-7 deadlock after the first quarter.

“We had a couple of turnovers and personal fouls that helped them on their scoring drives,” head coach Scott Wilson said. “In the first quarter they didn’t stop us, we stopped ourselves.”

Polson exploded in the second quarter, scoring 28 points to give the team a 35-17 lead at the half. Senior running back Tim Rausch had two first-half touchdown runs. Add in senior running back Trae Fouty’s four-yard touchdown run, a 74-yard touchdown run by sophomore quarterback Vince DiGiallonardo and a 26-yard pass reception for a touchdown by senior running back Joe Andrews and the result was a big first half for the Pirate offense.

The Pirates kept up the pressure in the third quarter with two touchdowns by Rausch, who finished the day with 128 yards on the ground in nine carries. Rausch was one of three Pirates to rush for over 80 yards; Andrews finished with 84 yards and DiGiallonardo had 83.

“We ran the ball well and the line did a good job blocking,” Wilson said. “Once we stopped the stupid mistakes, we started clicking. Our goal from the outset has been to repeat as conference champs and that is something that when we play to our potential, is a realistic goal.”

Wilson found some areas that could use improvement and a bye this Friday will allow more time practicing things the team needs to work on.

“Even though we we’ve had success offensively, we could do a better job blocking because we’re still missing some assignments and schemes,” Wilson said. “Defensively, we need to do a better job of shutting the other team down. This time of year, everyone’s sort of banged up with bumps and bruises, so we need to get good and healed up before the next game.”