Wildcats struggle against East Helena at home

After a two-plus hour delay due to massive thunderstorm that had plenty of lightning but just a few drops of rain, the Columbia Falls football team lost to East Helena 40-8 in the Wildcats home opener Friday.

East Helena was simply bigger at nearly every position and was able to score at will against the Wildcats, building a 26-0 lead by the half. 

The Wildcats ran the ball well against East Helena, but had a tough time scoring. Trip Ross had 18 carries for 119 yards and the Cats had 179 yards rushing, but East Helena scored on nearly every possession in the first half.

“That was the best team we’ve played so far this season,” coach Kelly Houle said. “We were outgunned.”

Having said that, Houle said the Cats played much harder than they did the previous week against Frenchtown. He said he didn’t think the delay had any impact on the team. While the thunderstorm did delay the game, the rain came just before the half, as it poured for about a half hour.

The Cats did have a touchdown called back on a holding penalty when East Helena was up by just a touchdown in the first half, which was definitely a bummer for the Cats’ momentum. 

The Cats lone touchdown came in the second half after the game was settled.

The good news is the team has a bye this week and the first three games of the schedule was against tough nonconference opponents by design.

They’ll work this week cleaning up some mistakes and refining their play and then next week focus on Bigfork, who they host for homecoming Sept. 26.

In particular they have to work on their line play and giving quarterback Banyan Johnston more time to throw the ball.

“He needs the opportunity to read the field and get the ball out,” Houle said.

Bigfork beat Dillon 14-7 last week.

The Cats are 0-3. 

The hope, however, is to do well in conference play and still have an opportunity to make the playoffs. They have the firepower to do that.