The Columbia Falls football team opened its season Friday by drubbing Stevensville on the road, 55-18.

Junior quarterback Dakota Bridwell went 16 of 26 passing for 242 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions to lead the squad. Bridwell threw strikes to Nathan Riley, Stephen Lindsey, Braxton Reiten and Sean Hoerner. Reiten led the squad with seven catches for 100 yards.

The Cats also had 253 yards rushing. Lindsey had 12 carries for 85 yards and three touchdowns and Wyatt Green had five carries for 22 yards and one touchdown. Bridwell also rushed for 35 yards.

"It all starts with the offensive and defensive lines and they were excellent," coach Jackson Schweikert said. "They were absolutely terrific."

The Cats held the Yellowjackets to 242 yards total. A 100 yards of that were an interception return and 84 yards were a running play by Stevi's quarterback.

Schweikert said he was pleased with the way the offense distributed the ball. Seven players caught passes and that many ran as well.

"We're at our best when the ball's well-distributed," he said.

A complete line score was unavailable. The Wildcats host Hamilton this Friday in what should be a good game. Hamilton knocked the Cats out of the playoffs last year.

Schweikert said the key will be to stop Hamilton's run at the line of scrimmage

"If we can defend their run and run the ball on them, the game looks good for us," he said.

Game time is 7 p.m.