Cats thump Chiefs for homecoming win

The Columbia Falls football team rolled over Ronan Friday night for homecoming, 69-0.

The Cats scored early and often.

Hayden Strandberg nabbed a 56-yard touchdown pass from Banyan Johnston just 15 seconds into the game; Trip Ross had an 11-yard TD run less than three minutes later, then Strandberg followed that up with 10-yard pass TD strike from Johnston and then Zariah Graham had a 1-yard TD run with 30 seconds left in the quarter.

That made it 27-0. The only blemish was a missed point after attempt.

Johnston completed 9 of 11 passes for 191 yards, while Hayden Strandberg caught four passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Ross finished with 105 yards on 11 carries.

Columbia Falls piled up 414 yards of offense and held Ronan to 122. Wyatt Nadeau returned an interception 36 yards for a touchdown and Connor Davis added a 71-yard punt return for a score.

Everyone who suited up played, said coach Kelly Houle.

The defense held Ronan to just four first downs. The second squad played well as the clock ran before the first half was even over.

“Coaches called a gem,” Houle said.

The big game is this week against Whitefish as the Wildcats host the Bulldogs at 7 p.m.

The Bulldogs are coming off a rout of their own, downing Polson 49-3 last week.

Houle said the Cats will look to contain Luke Dalen, who likes to run, while establishing the run themselves.

“We need to be disciplined and do our job well,” Houle said. The Bulldogs are 6-0. The Cats are 4-1, their one loss to top-ranked Frenchtown.

The game should not only be a barnburner, it could determine the conference champion and a first-round bye in the playoffs.