BIGFORK — The Vikings quest for back-to-back Class B state title games fell just short with Bigfork falling to Missoula-Loyola 14-6 in the semifinal game.

“Great group of kids,” Bigfork coach Jim Benn said of his team. “Great being around them the last three years.”

Loyola running back Talen Reynolds was the focal point of the Rams offense carrying the ball 32 times on a mix of direct snaps and conventional handoffs for 99 yards and a touchdown.

Rams quarterback Aiden Round finished 12 of 17 passing for 95 yards and found Malik Lyttle for a 17-yard touchdown strike with 3:24 to go in the third quarter for the game’s first points. Reynolds would follow that up with a three-yard rushing touchdown late in the third quarter to make things 14-0 in Loyola’s favor entering the fourth.

Bigfork made things interesting when Joseph Farrier found paydirt with 8:20 to play. From there the Vikings continued to battle by stifling the Rams offense to stay in the game.

“Kids played their butts off,” Benn said of his team's effort.

The Bigfork offense had their chances late with two different drives ending in the red zone. Bigfork quarterback Tristen Herd lost a fumble in a melee near the goal line with time ticking down in the fourth quarter to seal the deal for the Rams and set up the victory formation for Loyola.

“Played as hard as they could till the final whistle.” Vikings Head Coach Jim Benn said.

The Bigfork defense was stout all day long all day long limiting the Rams offense to 4.3 yards per play despite the loss.

“Manny Baldi, Bryce Gilliard, and Jackson Nelson really had great games,” Benn added.

Baldi finished with ten tackles and a sack, Gilliard had eight tackles while Nelson had three tackles and a 33-yard kick-return on special teams.

Loyola-Sacred Heart 0 0 14 0 - 14

Bigfork 0 0 0 6 - 6

L — Malik Little 17 pass from Aiden Round 3Q-3:24

L — Talen Reynolds 3 run - 3Q-00:49

BF — Joseph Farrier 2 run 4Q-8:20