The Libby Loggers really needed this one.

After a season-opening, comeback win at Browning, the Loggers endured four straight losses. One defeat, 14-6, was to also-ran Stevensville, a team Libby beat by an average of nearly 28 points in the last three meetings.

Three defeats by a combined 142-6 to Hamilton, Polson and Bigfork may have left some wondering if the Loggers would win again in the 2026 campaign.

In addition, the fact that 11 of Libby’s 24 players are either freshmen or sophomores and the Chiefs had won two of the last three meetings between the teams provided a questionable outlook.

But the Loggers overcame three first-half turnovers to win their second game of the year, 28-14.

"This is a great group of unselfish young men and I’m proud to be their coach," Loggers head coach Kyle Hannah said. "Football is tough and these guys show up every day ready to work, not just for themselves, but for each other. That commitment says a lot about who they are and the teammates they choose to be."

Quinten Cossins’ monster game, 203 yards on 24 carries with three touchdowns, paced a Libby running game that piled up 351 yards. Senior quarterback James Woody shook off a pick six and ran for 102 yards on 12 carries with a 17-yard TD run. Tristan DeShazer picked up another 59 yards on 10 carries, according to Daily Inter Lake statistics. 

The Loggers defense stepped up, too, allowing just 147 yards and one offensive TD. Junior Porter Hollinsworth intercepted a pass and averaged 32 yards on five kickoffs.

Freshman Hudson Hannah intercepted a pass, caught a 33-yard pass and ran for 25 yards. He also performed well in the return game, bringing back three punts for 44 yards.

Cossins staked the Loggers to a 16-0 lead with a pair of TD runs in the first quarter. The Ronan pick six and conversion cut the lead in half, but Woody’s 17-yard run gave the Loggers a 22-8 halftime lead.

Cossins 5-yard TD late in the third quarter made it 28-8.

The Loggers (2-4) travel to Whitefish tonight before hosting Columbia Falls Oct. 23 for Senior Night. Columbia Falls won a barn burner, 34-31, over the Bulldogs last week.

"With two games remaining against two of the top five teams in the state, we know we have some tough challenges ahead," Hannah said. "Our expectation is that every player gives his best on every play. We can’t control our opponents’ speed, skill or strength, but we can control our effort, our attitude and how we respond to adversity. Our goal is to walk off the field knowing we gave everything we had for the teammates beside us. These young men continue to show up for one another, and I’m looking forward to finishing this season with them. Every play is another opportunity to show our Logger pride and leave it all on the field."

Ronan (1-6) hosts Bigfork Friday.

Notes: The Loggers win was their second straight over Ronan after losing back-to-back games in 2023 and 2024. Libby blanked the Chiefs 35-0 a year ago… Proceeds from the halftime raffle went to the Cabinet Peaks Medical Center’s Paint it Pink campaign supporting breast cancer treatment… Libby Elementary School students in grades 1-4 played flag football and the high school band entertained the fans at halftime.

    Libby’s Porter Hollingsworth (5) kicks off after a Loggers touchdown Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, in the first quarter. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Libby’s Quinten Cossins (21) tackles a Ronan ball carrier Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. Cossins ran for more than 200 yards and three touchdowns. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Libby’s Quinton Caulboy (56) drags down Ronan’s Austin Schall Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, in the first quarter. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)