The Wildcat football team fell behind early and never recovered Friday as they fell to the Broncs in Frenchtown, 53-7.

“We are growing and we are learning,” head coach Jaxon Schweikert said about the loss. “We just need to learn how to work in the offseason and in practice. You win games with the work you put in on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.”

Frenchtown jumped out to a 26-0 lead after one quarter and the Broncs led 40-0 at the half. The Wildcats’ struggled to overcome four turnovers, including three lost fumbles and an interception and their only score of the game came in the fourth quarter on a touchdown pass from quarterback Mason Peters to Brad Nieves.

Peters finished the game 13-28 passing for 98 of the Wildcats’ 132 yards of total offense while Broncs quarterback Cade Baker was 11-16 for 222 yards and five touchdowns. Receiver Jace Klucewich also had a big game for Frenchtown, scoring three times on four catches for a total of 158 yards while also running for 67 yards and two more scores.

Columbia Falls also struggled to find running room with its ground attack, picking up just 34 yards on 19 carries while Frenchtown finished with 194 rushing yards.

Isaac Balla led the Columbia Falls rushing attack with 32 yards while no other Wildcat had more than three. The Broncs rushers were led by Tel Arthur with 74 yards.

Taylor Bryan led the Wildcat defense with four tackles while Jaxon Heinz, Zane McCallum and Nieves each had three.

With the loss, the Wildcats drop to 2-6 on the season and were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.

The Wildcats will finish out the season at home Friday as they host the Butte Central Maroons as Columbia Falls celebrates its 10 senior players on Senior Night at Satterthwaite Memorial Field.

“This will give us a chance to end the season with a win,” Schweikert said. “That’s not something you usually get to do.”