Cats thump Polson to go 4-0 in conference play

The Columbia Falls football team dispatched Polson Friday night at home, 46-13.

Polson scored the first touchdown of the game, but after that it was all Columbia Falls as they went ahead 27-7 at the break, including scoring a touchdown with just 40 seconds or so left in the half.

The Cats are now 4-3 overall and 4-0 in conference play as they face Libby for senior night at home Friday.  Libby lost to Whitefish 48-21 last week.

Trip Ross had three touchdowns in the win over the Pirates. He had 151 rushing yards on 23 carries, and 61 yards on four catches. 

The score could have been worse for the Pirates, as the Cats had a drive stall in the red zone in the first half and a field goal attempt by Billy Jo West was blocked.

The Cats defense shined in the game. They picked off Polson quarterback Case Cox three times in and stifled the Pirates run offense.

Caleb Mee scored a 47-yard touchdown and Gabe Plevel hauled a 27-yard pass for the Wildcats. Mee caught three passes for 43 yards.  Though he didn’t score, Jory Hill had some great catches for the Cats as he used to length to great advantage against the Pirates. Hill led the receiving corps with 92 yards.

Quarterback Banyan Johnston was 19 of 32 for 262 yards and three touchdowns. All told the Cats had 542 yards of offense.

Defensively, Daniel Contreras led the way with three tackles and a sack.

Ross had 13 tackle assists to lead the squad.

If the Cats beat the Loggers they win the conference title and get a first-round bye in the playoffs.