Thunderstorms cancel season-opener football game
KELSEY EVANS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 2 months AGO
Keenan Curtiss takes on a Havre Blue Ponie on Friday, Aug. 29. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
A Bulldog Ponie pile-up at the goal line as the dogs tried to prevent a touchdown in the second quarter. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Cole Moses with the ball evades a tackle from Havre's #53 at Friday's game Aug. 29. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
A timeout at the season opening game against Havre Friday, Aug. 29. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Bulldogs get lightning-out towards the end of the second quarter. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Student section Aug. 29. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
A bulldog statue installed on top of the scoreboard at Memorial Park, with storm clouds rolling in as the sun sets on Friday, Aug. 29. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
The Bulldog football team was approaching the end of the second quarter in its season opener against the Havre Blue Ponies on Friday when the players were called off the field due to lightning.
The Dogs took cover under the baseball fields, expecting a 30-minute delay and a little rain. but the skies darkened, and a torrential downpour soaked the field. The players stuck it out until nearly 10 p.m., before the game was officially called, leaving the Bulldogs to accept a no contest, with the score standing at 7-21.
Head Coach Brett Bollweg, with 19 years of coaching under his belt, said it was the first time he’d had a game cancelled.
Fortunately, the team got in some solid playing prior to the storm. Senior Cole Moses had a 60-plus yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
“We moved the ball well offensively; our line did a good job of opening holes,” Bollweg said. “Defensively we had good turnover and tackled really well. I'm pleased with how physical our guys were on Friday.”
This year, many of the skilled starting positions are filled by first-time varsity players.
“We’re veteran in some areas, young in others. It’s standard for us and we’re in a good spot,” Bollweg said. “At the end of the day, it’s high school football. There are ebbs and flows. It’s good to have seniors but that also means you have to replace them.”
There are a great group of leaders this year both on the field and in the locker room, Bollweg said.
Cooper Akey, Cole Moses, Anderson Barrile, Sam Nissen, Jordan Harmon and Aaron Anderson are a few of the seniors that will look to lead the team this season.
The next game is against Hamilton, kicking off at home at 7 p.m. this Friday.
A Bulldog Ponie pile-up at the goal line as the dogs tried to prevent a touchdown in the second quarter. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Cole Moses with the ball evades a tackle from Havre's #53 at Friday's game Aug. 29. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
A timeout at the season opening game against Havre Friday, Aug. 29. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Bulldogs get lightning-out towards the end of the second quarter. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Student section Aug. 29. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
A bulldog statue installed on top of the scoreboard at Memorial Park, with storm clouds rolling in as the sun sets on Friday, Aug. 29. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)ARTICLES BY KELSEY EVANS
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