At Polson on Senior Night, the visiting top tier-ranked Bitterroot Broncs from Hamilton showcased much of their vaunted multiple weapon arsenal that has featured them as part of the conversation much of the season as favored to advance to the Class A championship for a third straight time.

The first frame bore a phonetic semblance to a type of poker game, only this “Duce is wild” pertained to Hamilton running back Landon Duce rushing for three scores as well as ran for a conversion to account for all of Hamilton’s first quarter points.

While the first frame showcased Hamilton’s ground game, the second quarter illustrated their potent air attack as wide receiver Jaiden Klemundt caught three touchdown receptions, while fellow Bronc Mason Murray grabbed a fourth to account for seven tallies by the end of the first half.

Although Hamilton was firmly in control early on, Polson was able to craft some impressive responses that exploited some vulnerabilities in the Bronc secondary.

Down 15-0 midway through the first frame, Ryker Wenderoth would pluck his 10th interception of the season when he jumped the lane in front of the Bronc receiver. Following that play, Polson reeled off three straight first downs that culminated with a 30-plus yard reception by Ryker Wenderoth that just breached the redzone. A few plays later, Wenderoth reeled in a 19-yard pass from Bo Kelley to trim the deficit 15-6.

In the second quarter with the ball at the Polson 41, Bo Kelley found another open receiver as freshman Jarrett Wilson ran a route down the Hamilton sideline, outgrabbed his defender for the ball and raced for the end zone for Polson’s second tally of the half.

The gridiron Pirates bid farewell to nine seniors that include Bo Kelley, Dugan Davis, Ryker Wenderoth, Garrett Croft, Corbyn Lund, Harley Sorrell, Kenton Sisler along with injured mates Trevor Schultz and Kaleb Unger.

Hamilton 57, Polson 18

Polson (4-5), Hamilton (8-1)

Hamilton 22 28 7 0 – 57

Polson 6 6 0 6 – 18

H – Landon Duce 16 run (Tyson Rostad kick)

H – L.Duce 4 run (L.Duce run)

P – Ryker Wenderoth 19 pass from Bo Kelley (pass incomplete)

H – L.Duce 2 run (T.Rostad kick)

P – Jarrett Wilson 59 pass from B.Kelley (pass incomplete)

H – Jaiden Klemundt 46 pass from Carson Rostad (T.Rostad kick)

H – J.Klemundt 29 pass from C.Rostad (T.Rostad kick)

H – Mason Murray 10 pass from C.Rostad (T.Rostad kick)

H – J.Klemundt 5 pass from C.Rostad (T.Rostad kick)

H – Cole Anson 6 run (T.Rostad kick)

P – Dugan Davis 27 pass from B.Kelley (run failed)

RUSH – H (), P 22-80 (D.Davis 1-31, Kelley 6-19, Boston Goode 6-17, Garrett Croft 6-14, R.Wenderoth 3-(-)1) PASS – H 16-25-245-1 (C.Rostad 14-21-212, Tristan Lewis 2-4-33-1), P (Kelley 10-25-201-2). REC – P10-201 (R.Wenderoth 6-92, J.Wilson 1-60, D.Davis 1-27, Colton Graham 1-15, Trevor Lake 1-7).

INT – P1 (B.Goode). PD – P3 (J.Wilson, K.Sisler, R.Wenderoth). TFL – P1 (Garrett Croft).