BIGFORK – Bigfork football showed its full potential on Friday night, rolling to a 46-9 victory over Libby with an all-around team performance on their Homecoming night.  

Head coach Hunter Johnson praised the team’s focus and preparation after their defeat the previous week to Columbia falls.  

“We told the guys that we need to stick to the process and not let the little things affect us,” Johnson said. “Every day, we must get better and focus on the process, and the results will come.” 

Bigfork’s (3-2 overall, 1-1 in Northwest A games) special teams shined with two touchdowns and their defense turned over the Loggers (3-2, 1-1) three times in the victory. Quarterback Cole Schmit orchestrated the offensive attack, completing 12 of 20 passes for 159 yards and three touchdowns, in addition to a two-yard rushing score.  

“The team played amazing,” Schmit said. “Everyone focused on their own job instead of trying to do everything. Last week was tough, but we locked in this week and didn’t let distractions affect us.” 

On the opening kickoff, Rye Rodriguez wasted no time to give the Vikings momentum with a 90-yard return for a touchdown. Two plays later, Bigfork’s Ozzie Buzzell intercepted a pass from Libby quarterback Tristan Anderson, putting the Vikings on the two-yard line. Schmit kept the ball up the middle to jump Bigfork’s lead to 12-0 in the blink of an eye.  

Libby put together their longest possession of the night with a seven-minute drive on the next series, but Tayden West intercepted Anderson to close the door on the Loggers response.  

Quinten Cossins picked off Schmit to put Libby back into scoring position. Then, Issac Lamere kicked a 30-yard field to give the Loggers their first points of the game with 10:18 remaining in the second period.  

Bigfork’s most important drive of the game followed the field goal. In a seven-minute possession, Libby forced the Vikings to settle for their own kick. Quinn Kerr missed a 31-yard field goal, but a roughing the kicker penalty set up a touchdown pass from Schmit to West, extending the lead 19-3 just before half.  

Just like the first half began, Bigfork scored quickly to gain more momentum. After a failed punt attempt from Libby, Schmit and Tamret Savik connected on the first offensive play for a 26-yard score.  

The Vikings scoring didn’t slow down for the remainder of the half. They increased the lead to 33-3 after Treker Hickey scored on a three-yard touchdown run late in third. 

West had an all-around terrific performance. After Bigfork forced Libby to punt late in the third, he housed a 65-yard punt return for a touchdown to widen the gap even more for the Vikings. West totaled two touchdowns on the night and 65 yards receiving.  

“It was a phenomenal game for us; we were able to make plays and overall, it was a great coaching scheme that we executed,” said West.  

Austin Savik caught a screen pass and took it the distance for 36-yards for the final Vikings score of the game.  

Anderson scored the lone touchdown of the game for Libby 3:20 remaining in the game, with a 39-yard rushing score. He totaled 109 yards passing and 44 yards on the ground. 

With this win, Bigfork looks to carry this momentum into their upcoming matchup against Polson. Libby travels to Ronan next Friday in their next game. 

Libby        0    3    0    6    -    9 

Bigfork     12    7    20    7    -    46 

B – Rye Rodriguez 90 kickoff return (kick failed), 11:50-1Q 

B – Cole Schmit 2 run (Hickey 2-pt failed), 10:52 –1Q 

L – Issac Lamere 30 FG, 10:15-2Q 

B –Tayden West 9 pass from Schmit (Quinn Kerr kick), 1:29-2Q 

B – Tamret Savik 26 pass from Schmit (Kerr kick), 10:12-3Q 

B – Treker Hickey 3 run (Kerr kick), 5:56-3Q 

B – West 65 return (Kick failed), 2:12-3Q 

B – Austin Savik 36 pass from Schmit (Kerr kick), 9:07-4Q 

L – Tristan Anderson 39 run (kick failed), 3:20-4Q