With just 3 minutes remaining in the game Friday night, the undefeated Whitefish Bulldogs found themselves down by 2 points with the ball in their hands and a home crowd screaming their name.

But Whitefish was unable to capitalize on the drive, leading to a scoring opportunity for Columbia Falls which put the Wildcats further out of reach. Columbia Falls went on to defeat the Bulldogs 35-19.

Wildcat star running back Isaiah Roth got the scoring started in the first quarter after he broke away from the Whitefish defense for a 25-yard touchdown rush. In the second quarter Columbia Falls quarterback Cody Schweikert connected with receiver Jace Duval as the Cats went up 14-0 over the Dogs.

Whitefish’s offense woke up in the second quarter as they put together a drive that led to a field goal by Ryder Barinowski. Shortly after Bulldog senior Bodie Smith brought down a pass from quarterback Fynn Ridgeway in the end zone. Whitefish went for a two-point conversion, but the pass was well-defended by Columbia Falls who took a 14-9 lead into halftime.

To start the second half Whitefish moved the ball well down the field to set up a 37-yard field goal attempt and Barinowski put it through the uprights yet again and closed the lead to just 2 points.

In the third quarter Schweikert found Duval again for a touchdown, but Whitefish responded with their own touchdown as Bulldog Ty Schwaiger punched the ball over the goal line.

The score remained 21-19 throughout the majority of the fourth quarter, until Columbia Falls forced a turnover and Roth capitalized later with a 20-yard touchdown run. The Wildcats got the ball back again in the final 2 minutes and Schweikert ran for a touchdown to put the game out of reach.

Whitefish attempted a quick moving offensive drive, but Columbia Falls played the long pass well knowing that the Bulldogs needed to move the ball quickly; Ridgeway was picked off in the end zone which sealed the Wildcat win.

Schwaiger ran for 95 yards on 11 carries in the game to lead the Bulldogs. Logan Conklin had 62 yards off three catches for the Bulldogs. Conklin and Jaxsen Schlauch each recorded interceptions. Ridgeway was 10-for-28 passing and had 85 yards in the game; he was picked off twice, with one bouncing off his receiver’s hands into the Wildcat defense.

Columbia Falls’ Roth shined in the game with 135 yards on 19 carries and Schweikert threw for two touchdowns, ran for another, with 144 yards passing.

The loss was Whitefish’s first defeat of the season and the Bulldogs are now 7-1 overall and 2-1 in the Northwest A conference.

Whitefish will take on the undefeated Polson Pirates on Friday for senior night at the Dawg Pound. Game time is 7 p.m.

Columbia Falls 7 7 7 14 - 35

Whitefish 0 9 10 0 - 19

CF — Isaiah Roth 25 run (Mark Robison kick)

CF — Jace Duval 29 pass from Cody Schweikert (Robison kick)

W — Ryder Barinowski 27 FG

W — Bodie Smith 8 pass from Fynn Ridgeway (pass failed)

W — Barinowski 37 FG

CF — Duval 33 pass from Schweikert (Robison kick)

W — Ty Schwaiger 5 run (Barinowski kick)

CF — Roth 20 run (Robison kick)

CF — Schweikert 3 run (Robison kick)