Bigfork High School shut out Malta 41-0 in the quarterfinals of the Class B football playoffs on Saturday.

The game got off to a rough start for the Vikings when Malta recovered their own onside kickoff. Malta was unable to get through Bigfork’s defense and after a couple back and forth possessions Josh Sandry spotted a hole in Malta’s defense and set the tone for the rest of the game, running for a 71-yard touchdown.

“They had a lot of momentum at the start of the game, and we just turned it around,” Sandry said.

“That first touchdown was huge for us, it kind of got us going,” head coach Todd Emslie said.

Sandry kept the momentum going with another 34-yard touchdown. And Vinny Quirk got into the end zone for the Vikings on a 29-yard run to end the first quarter with a solid 21-0 lead over Malta.

In the second quarter with a Malta fumble picked up by Logan Mejak and an illegal shift called on Malta, Bigfork was quickly back in scoring position on the 28-yard line. 

Bigfork’s next touchdown was a spectacular play from Isaac Martel. Sandry threw the ball with Malta defenders wrapped around his knees, looking to just get rid of the ball. Martel managed to catch the pass in the end zone.

“I tried throwing it out of bounds and Martel came up and made a good play out of it,” Sandry said.

Quirk scored once more in the half bringing the Vikings up 34-0. Bigfork’s defense continued to stay strong in the second half, as Adam Jordt intercepted a pass and ran it back for a touchdown.

That would be the last score of the game. 

“They’re a great football team,” Emslie said of Malta. “It was great to get a win today.”

Bigfork’s defense had a spectacular showing, allowing Malta 117 yards and forcing three turnovers. Quirk led in tackles with 10.5 followed by Andy Russel with six. Tyler Iverson and Piazzola both had a sack.

Bigfork will host Huntley Project in the semifinal game Saturday at 1 p.m. 

Malta 0 0 0 0— 0

Bigfork 21 13 7 0 — 41

1st quarter

B —Josh Sandry 71 yard run (Sandry kick)

B — Sandry 34 yard run (Sandry kick)

B — Vinny Quirk 29 yard run (Sandry kick)

2nd quarter

B — Martel 13 yard pass from Sandry (kick failed)

B — Quirk 7 yard run (Sandry kick)

3rd quarter

B — Adam Jordt 67 yard interception return (Sandry kick)

Total offense Malta 117, Bigfork 284

Passing yards Malta 11, Bigfork 81

Rushing yards Malta 106, Bigfork 203

First Downs Malta 9, Bigfork 10

Time of possession Malta 27:39, Bigfork 20:21

Turnovers Malta 3, Bigfork 1

Individual Statistics

RUSHING — Malta, Quintan Boos 29-119, Collin Holman 3-9, Allen Williamson 1-(-2), Jase Galt 8-(-20). Bigfork, Josh Sandry 8-118, Vinny Quirk 10-56, Matthew Farrier 7-25, Isaac Martel 1-3, Jonathan Landon 1-1.

PASSING — Malta, Jase Galt 7-18-1-11. Bigfork, Josh Sandry 7-13-1-81, Jonathan Landon 0-1-0-0.

RECEIVING — Malta, Allen Williamson 2-11, Tyson Carney 1-9, Collin Holman 1-0, Quintan Boos 1-(-4), Jordan Pierce 2-(-5). Bigfork, Isaac Martel 3-26, Tyler Piazzola 1-23, Adam Jordt 1-16, Jonathan Landon 2-16.

Leading tacklers — Malta, Quintan Boos 6.5 (3 solo, 7 asst). Bigfork, Vinny Quirk 10.5 (5-11), Tyler Iverson and Tyler Piazzola each had a sack.