Sometimes you run into a team on a roll and a team with a history of football success.

The Thompson Falls Blue Hawks have had recent success, in the form of an eight-player state B championship a couple years ago, and multiple years of success with eight guys on the field.

The 11-player game they were moved up to last year has shown how complex this game can be. But the Blue Hawks and head coach Jared Koskela will get it mastered.

However, this past Saturday they went up against annual Class B-11 powerhouse Jefferson High (Boulder) and came out on the short end of a 42-6 loss on the Panthers home field.

Jefferson put points on the board first when they capped a drive with an 11-yard touchdown run. The point after touchdown (PAT) kick was good, giving the Panthers a 7-0 lead early in the opening quarter.

Later in the first quarter, a Jefferson running back broke free and sprinted 73 yards for a second score, which when coupled with a successful PAT kick, put the home team ahead 14-0.

Before the quarter came to an end, Jefferson added a third touchdown on a long, 56-yard passing TD to close out the first frame with a 21-0 lead.

The Panthers, who moved to 3-1 on the year with the win, scored again in the first part of the second quarter, this time on a one-yard TD flip to the end zone. Another successful kick put Jefferson ahead 28-0.

Before the second quarter came to a conclusion, Thompson Falls struck back as junior quarterback Bryson LeCoure plunged across the goal line to cap a Blue Hawks drive and cut the Jefferson lead to 28-6 when the PAT attempt failed. Neither team scored before the first half ended.

Jefferson’s stout defense kept a lid on the Blue Hawks’ offense in the second half, while the Panther offense added to their lead.

The Panther scored on a two-yard run in the third quarter, then added a 13-yard scoring TD in the final 12 minutes to close out scoring. Both of their second half PATs were good.

LeCoure finished the game with 153 yards passing on 9/21 attempts. Junior running back Sam Burgess led the Hawks in rushing with 39 yards on five carries, while Braxton Dorscher had 68 yards on three receptions. Nick Tessier added 58 yards on four catches for the Blue Hawks.

Thompson Falls returns home this Friday (Sept 22) for an encounter with Anaconda on the Blue Hawks homecoming night. Game time is 7 p.m.