Loggers’ operation gets shut down, Pirates win Northwestern

A Conference Championship

POLSON - No team has been able to slow down the Polson Pirates football squad this season and this week, neither could Mother Nature.

Vince DiGiallonardo accounted for five touchdowns and four other Pirates hit paydirt as Polson routed the Libby Loggers 46-7 in a rain-soaked affair on Friday, Oct. 14.

The win solidified a conference sweep and a first-round bye in the playoffs with just a non-conference matchup with Browning remaining on the regular-season schedule.

"Having momentum is of great importance," head coach Scott Wilson said. "Winning the conference, we'll have a bye, but it's important to go play well versus Browning so kids have that in their minds."

It didn't take long for Polson to get going offensively, despite the rainy conditions. After a three-and-out on defense, the Pirates marched down the field, capping their first drive with a 25-yard sprint by DiGiallonardo for an early 6-0 edge. After another stop, DiGiallonardo marched in from 46 yards out, giving the Pirates a 12-0 lead.

It was the second week in a row Polson played in less than ideal conditions. Against Frenchtown on Oct. 7, rain had fallen earlier in the day, perhaps a blessing in disguise when they welcomed Libby to town.

"It helped us quite a bit," Wilson said of back-to-back games on a wet field. "The kids realized they could play good football in those conditions. In terms of moving the ball, it was a bonus playing on a wet field last week."

Four minutes later, DiGiallonardo decided to let his teammates get in on the action, hooking up with Justin Hoel on a 43-yard strike, spotting Polson an 18-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.

Despite the wet conditions, DiGiallonardo managed to finish 4-of-9 passing, but made the completions count to the tune of 126 yards, a big factor for the Pirate offense, according to Wilson.

"The biggest key was to throw the ball," Wilson said. "Libby wanted to stop the run and played man coverage. Hitting our passing plays gave us confidence and momentum."

Polson picked up where they left off in the second when Hoel intercepted a Libby pass. On the next play, Chris Cote broke free for a 34-yard touchdown run, giving the Pirates a 25-0 lead. Eight minutes later, DiGiallonardo found Ian Laimbeer from 38 yards out, making the score 32-0 at halftime.

DiGiallonardo started the second half the way he started the first, scoring on a 25-yard run on Polson's first possession, inflating the lead to 39-0.

The Loggers answered, returning the ensuing kickoff to the Pirate 6-yard line, before trimming the deficit to 39-7 a couple plays later. It was the only blemish on the night for Polson's defense.

"The biggest thing was that we were playing with great intensity," Wilson said. "We shut them down right away, took advantage and scored on offense, which has been key. Our defense gives our offense lots of opportunities."

The Pirates had an answer for Libby's score when Paul McClurg became the fifth Polson player to put points on the board, scampering in from 35 yards out to complete the scoring before the end of the third quarter.

As a team, Polson rushed 34 times for 281 yards, led by 111 yards from DiGiallonardo and 95 from McClurg, each carrying eight times. In addition to his 43-yard TD catch, Hoel reeled in a 36-yard bomb, leading the Pirates with 79 receiving yards.

Polson wraps up its regular-season slate when it travels to Browning on Friday, Oct. 21. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

POLSON 46, LIBBY 7

Libby - 0 - 0 - 7 - 0 - 7

Polson - 18 - 14 - 14 - 0 - 46

SCORING SUMMARY

Polson - Vince DiGiallonardo 25-yard run (kick failed)

Polson - DiGiallonardo 46-yard run (pass failed)

Polson - Justin Hoel 43-yard pass from DiGiallonardo (kick failed)

Polson - Chris Cote 34-yard run (Brady Hislop kick)

Polson - Ian Laimbeer 38-yard pass from DiGiallonardo (Hislop kick)

Polson - DiGiallonardo 25-yard run (Hislop kick)

Libby - Chase Hoyer 5-yard pass from Micah Germany (Patrick Valentine kick)

Polson - Paul McClurg 35-yard run (Hislop kick)