Ross scores 3 TDs, C-Falls routs Polson

LUKE SCHMIT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month, 2 weeks AGO

Columbia Falls running back Trip Ross (30) breaks a tackle on a run in the first quarter against Polson at Satterthwaite Field on Friday, Oct. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Columbia Falls running back Trip Ross (30) celebrates with wide receiver Jory Hill (14) after Ross' touchdown reception in the second quarter against Polson at Satterthwaite Field on Friday, Oct. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Columbia Falls wide receiver Caleb Mee (24) catches a touchdown reception in the second quarter against Polson at Satterthwaite Field on Friday, Oct. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Columbia Falls defensive back Easton Brooks (10) intercepts a pass in the second quarter against Polson at Satterthwaite Field on Friday, Oct. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Columbia Falls quarterback Banyan Johnston (7) releases a pass in the third quarter against Polson at Satterthwaite Field on Friday, Oct. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Polson running back Daniel O' Roake (32) breaks loose on a long run in the first quarter against Columbia Falls at Satterthwaite Field on Friday, Oct. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Columbia Falls wide receiver Hayden Strandberg (2) is tackled along the sideline by Polson defenders Bradley Smith (1) and Holden Emerson (15) after a reception in the second quarter at Satterthwaite Field on Friday, Oct. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Columbia Falls' Easton Brooks (10) is pulled down by Polson's Holden Emerson (15) on a kickoff return in the first quarter at Satterthwaite Field on Friday, Oct. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

COLUMBIA FALLS — Trip Ross was a hard guy to bring down Friday, accounting for 212 yards and three touchdowns in Columbia Falls 46-13 victory over Polson on Friday evening.

Wildcat quarterback Banyan Johnston had another quality performance, throwing for 262 yards and three touchdowns on 19 of 32 passing. Jory Hill led all receivers with 95 yards receiving.

Polson (2-5 overall, 0-4 in the Northwest A) was outgained 478-248 in total yards.

“We ran the ball really well, threw the ball well. We were balanced in that aspect and defensively I thought we buckled down and played a complete game tonight,” Columbia Falls coach Kelly Houle said.

Polson sophomore quarterback Case Cox threw for 187 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Daniel O’Roake finished the game with 50 yards rushing.

The Pirates scored on their first drive when Cox found Holden Emerson for a six-yard score, putting the Wildcats on their heels early.

Columbia Falls (4-3, 4-0 in league) responded with 46 unanswered points from that moment. It started with Ross scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run to tie the game halfway through the first quarter.

Ross was dynamic all night for his team with multiple broken tackles and his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. He had 151 rusing yards on 23 carries, and 61 yards on four catches.

“I think we played a complete game,” Ross said. “We have still more work to do obviously going into the playoffs, but the offensive line blocked well this game, and our passing was all around solid.”

Following Ross’s touchdown, Johnston started to connect with his receivers downfield for the remainder of the first half. Caleb Mee scored a 47-yard touchdown and Gabe Plevel hauled a 27-yard pass to widen the gap for the Wildcats. Mee caught three passes for 43 yards.

On the final play before the first half ended, Johnston found Ross wide open to score a 5-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 27-7 at the break.

In the second half Columbia Falls relied on their rushing attack to rule time of possession. Ross and Johnston each scored a rushing TD, and sophomore Connor Davis found the end zone in the fourth quarter to put the game away.

Houle knows that this victory was promising but that expectations are still yet to be achieved.

“We’re not done yet, were not finished, we still got a lot of work to do,” he said. “It’s like putting hay in a barn, it’s starting to fill up but it’s not full yet, and it won’t be until the end of November.”

The Wildcats conclude their regular season next Friday hosting Libby, while Polson will face Ronan at home.

Polson 7 0 0 6 - 13

C-Falls 7 20 7 12 - 46

P — Holden Emerson 6 pass from Case Cox (Roman Sawyer kick), 9:52-1Q

CF — Trip Ross 1 run (Billy Joe West kick), 6:01-1Q

CF — Caleb Mee 47 pass from Banyan Johnston (West kick), 7:22-2Q

CF — Gabe Plevel 27 pass from Johnston (kick failed), 1:21-2Q

CF — Ross 5 pass from Johnston (West kick), 0:01-2Q

CF — Ross 1 run (West kick), 4:14-3Q

CF — Johnston 6 run (kick failed), 10:37-4Q

CF — Connor Davis 4 run (kick failed), 5:28-4Q

P — Luke Horner 55 pass from Cox (run failed), 5:28-4Q

Columbia Falls defensive back Easton Brooks (10) intercepts a pass in the second quarter against Polson at Satterthwaite Field on Friday, Oct. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Columbia Falls quarterback Banyan Johnston (7) releases a pass in the third quarter against Polson at Satterthwaite Field on Friday, Oct. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider