COLUMBIA FALLS — The Columbia Falls Wildcats failed to convert a fourth-and-goal on their final drive, and their season ended with a27-20 loss to the East Helena Vigilantes in the Class A football quarterfinal on Friday evening.  

Earlier this season, the Wildcats (5-4) lost 40-7 to the same Vigilantes (9-2). This time around each team traded momentum in a physical slugfest that came down to the final minutes.  

“I’m very proud of them,” Columbia Falls coach Kelly Houle said. “That was a pretty good football game. We went back fourth but unfortunately, we couldn't get a defensive stop there at the end. They showed grit and toughness because that team beat us differently weeks ago.” 

East Helena scored the first points of the game when quarterback Bearek Shuman found Conor Carpenter for a 35-yard touchdown late in the first quarter. Shuman threw for 189 yards on 17 of 28 passing with two scores. 

On the next play from scrimmage, Wildcats running back Tripp Ross took a pitch 80 yards to the end zone, tying the game at seven.  

Shuman took over the second quarter on the ground and in the air. First, he scored a rushing touchdown from 10 yards and connected again with Carpenter for a 20-yard score. Carpenter finished with 59 yards on three catches. 

Going into halftime the Wildcats trailed 19-7, but adversity has been a common theme for this team all season. 

“The biggest thing I can take away from this season is that this group bought in. They all play for each other, and they’ve helped me build that brotherhood,” Houle said. 

The second half replicated that connection the Wildcats had throughout this season.  

Banyan Johnston found Jory Hill for a 20-yard touchdown late in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 19-14. Johnston totaled 247 yards on 23 of 42 passing. He threw for one TD and ran for one.  

His rushing touchdown came with 6:17 left in the game. The Wildcats took a 20-19 lead when Johnston escaped the pressure and powered his way in from 5 yards out.  

The Vigilantes marched right back down the field on the following drive, scoring on Hagen Paddock’s 10-yard rush. East Helena led 27-20 with under three minutes remaining. 

Though the loss ended the Wildcats season, the game showed the growth in the program that Houle says will carry over to next season.  

“We’ve got a lot of talent coming back,” Houle said. “This group has laid the foundation. Now it’s about getting back to work in the offseason and taking the next step.” 

Paddock finished with 66 yards rushing and 52 yards receiving for East Helena, which will travel to play undefeated and defending champion Billings Central next Friday. 

East Helena    7    12    0    8    -    27 

Columbia Falls    7    0    7    6    -    20 

EH — Conor Carpenter 35 pass from Bearek Shuman (Aiden Dalton kick), 1:33-1Q 

CF — Tripp Ross 80 run (Billy-Joe West kick), 1:17-1Q 

EH — Shuman 10 run (kick failed), 8:06-2Q 

EH — Carpenter 35 pass from Shuman (run failed), 0:26-2Q 

CF — Jory Hill pass from Banyan Johnston (West kick), 1:03-3Q 

CF— Johnston 5 run (Johnston 2-Pt failed), 6:17-4Q 

EW — Hagen Paddock 10 run (Paddock pass from Shuman), 2:51-4Q