Prior to Saturday’s season opener against Charlo, Head Coach Allen Labbe said the game would serve as an indicator of where his team was at and what they would need to work on as the season progressed.

On Saturday in Charlo, the Bobcats started out strong – tackling as a team on defense and putting the first two touchdowns of the game on the scoreboard with two long drives that resulted in a touchdown run from Cole Karow and a four-yard reception from Anthony Parkin. The Vikings were quick to prove why they were also selected to be one of the top teams in eight-man football this year by putting up a trio of touchdowns in the second quarter. As the seconds ticked down in the first half the Bobcats found themselves down 24-14 but were able to produce a long drive capped off by a 41-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Wyatt Zylawy to Vicente Guerrero.

However the second half was all Charlo and a combination of interceptions thrown by Zylawy and a the Bobcats running out of gas put the game at 38-30 in favor of Charlo going into the fourth and final quarter.

The fourth quarter was a whirlwind of energy as the Bobcats tried to attempt to tie up the game. On the final Superior possession of the game it looked as though the Bobcats would send the game into overtime. However a long pass from Zylawy went just yards too far from his intended receiver. Charlo was able to then run out the clock and finish the game.

For the first-year varsity quarterback, the game in Charlo was a learning experience and Zylawy said he is looking forward to the team improving and learning from the loss.

“I’m looking forward to our team synchronizing and getting to our zone were we are firing on all cylinders,” Zylawy said. “When where there I know we can be unstoppable. The biggest thing for me is I just want to improve on my reads as a quarterback and mature overall as a varsity level leader and player.”

Karow, who had two touchdowns in the opener, said the team had a “battle right out of the gates” with Charlo but he is confident the Bobcats will rebound from the loss.

“We know how to play ball and that’s what we are going to do the rest of the season,” Karow said. “I’m looking forward to getting better as a team, and doing great things together. The biggest thing I want to improve on is pushing the team harder out on the field and not letting up. Hopefully the rest of the team will fuel off of it. We have the intensity needed, we just need to execute.”

The Bobcats are on the road again this week and will play Victor at 1:00pm on Saturday.