Photos: Bulldogs defeat Vikings 43-7
KELSEY EVANS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 weeks, 6 days AGO
Viking Cavin Wiest looks to stop Bulldog Vance Schwaiger at Whitefish's Memorial Field on Friday, Oct. 23. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Incoming catch for Bulldog Keenan Curtiss at Memorial Field Friday. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
A successful punt by Bigfork's Michael Farrier at Whitefish's Memorial Field on Oct. 23. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Kayden Kocina and another Viking bring down Bulldog Charlie Johnson at Whitefish's Memorial Field on Friday, Oct. 23. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Bulldog Luke Dalen is tackled by Viking Quinn Kerr at Whitefish's Memorial Field on Friday, Oct. 23. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Whitefish sophomore Hank Hoppes gains yards before being tackled. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Whitefish Bulldogs vs. Bigfork Vikings on Oct. 23, 2026. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Bigfork senior Alex Ochs sends the ball before being tackled at Whitefish's Memorial Field on Friday, Oct. 23. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Whitefish Bulldogs vs. Bigfork Vikings on Oct. 23, 2026. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Whitefish High School football at the conclusion of their Oct. 23 home game. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Alumni and current players gather for a final walk across Memorial Field at the conclusion of the last in-season game played at the field in its 70 year history. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Whitefish topped Bigfork 43-7 to close out the regular season on Friday.
"We all talk about the team that's going to have the most success. It's not always the best team, but it's the team that's playing the best. And sometimes it works out that it's both," said Coach Brett Bollweg.
Whitefish players, alumni and fans also bid farewell to Memorial Field after 70 years. The team will play at the new Bulldog Sports Complex next year.
"Friday was a display of people coming together to cheer around a common purpose," Bollweg said. "It's a rare thing to be a part of that, to see a small moment come together that's hopefully impactful for those who came before us and the guys that are playing now, and to understand that the tradition, the legacy is important. It's cool to be a part of something that's bigger than ourselves."
The Bulldogs struck first against the Vikings when Luke Dalen scored on a 4-yard touchdown run. After a missed extra point, Whitefish extended its lead on a 65-yard blocked field goal return by Austin Alton, and the PAT made it 13-0. Dalen then broke free for a 61-yard touchdown run before connecting with Vlad Shestak on a 4-yard scoring pass to give the Bulldogs a 30-0 advantage.
Bigfork got on the board before halftime when Alex Ochs connected with Cooper Porrovecchio on a 70-yard touchdown pass, cutting the deficit to 30-7. Whitefish answered with a 26-yard field goal from Owen Aldridge to take a 33-7 lead into the break.
The Bulldogs added two more scores in the third quarter. Shestak rushed for a 9-yard touchdown and Schwaiger scored on an 11-yard run to cap the scoring at 43-7.
Whitefish finished with 304 yards of total offense, including 186 rushing yards and 118 passing yards.
Dalen completed 9 of 16 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown while adding 63 rushing yards and two scores on four carries. Vance Schwaiger led Whitefish on the ground with 88 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, while Shestak added a rushing touchdown and hauled in four catches for 43 yards. Sam Rainford contributed 36 receiving yards on three catches and added a 29-yard run.
Alton caught two passes for 26 yards in addition to his 65-yard blocked field goal return touchdown. Schwaiger added one reception for seven yards to go with his team-leading rushing total. Shestak finished with 51 all-purpose yards and two scores. Rainford totaled 65 all-purpose yards.
During halftime Whitefish recognized seniors Alton, Jayke Thew, Shestak, Dalen, Schwaiger, Keenan Curtiss, Collison Lewis, Keonye Franklin and Jaxson Flint.
The Bulldogs enter the first round of playoffs ranked second in Northwest A with an 8-1 record overall and 4-1 in league play. On Friday, Oct. 30, the Dogs host Dillon, Southwest A's third seed. The winner will travel to play East Helena on Nov. 7.
"We can always work on small, intricate details. We're going to make sure we're communicating early and often," Bollweg said. "We never take for granted the position to play in the playoffs. It's a privilege and I'm looking forward to our guys continuing to put on display for our community the effort, work and love they have for each other and the game."
Incoming catch for Bulldog Keenan Curtiss at Memorial Field Friday. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
A successful punt by Bigfork's Michael Farrier at Whitefish's Memorial Field on Oct. 23. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Kayden Kocina and another Viking bring down Bulldog Charlie Johnson at Whitefish's Memorial Field on Friday, Oct. 23. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Bulldog Luke Dalen is tackled by Viking Quinn Kerr at Whitefish's Memorial Field on Friday, Oct. 23. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Whitefish sophomore Hank Hoppes gains yards before being tackled. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Whitefish Bulldogs vs. Bigfork Vikings on Oct. 23, 2026. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Bigfork senior Alex Ochs sends the ball before being tackled at Whitefish's Memorial Field on Friday, Oct. 23. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Whitefish Bulldogs vs. Bigfork Vikings on Oct. 23, 2026. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Whitefish High School football at the conclusion of their Oct. 23 home game. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Alumni and current players gather for a final walk across Memorial Field at the conclusion of the last in-season game played at the field in its 70-year history. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)ARTICLES BY KELSEY EVANS
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