Final farewell
LUKE SCHMIT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 hour, 8 minutes AGO
Whitefish quarterback Luke Dalen (10) scores a touchdown on a 7-yard run in the first quarter against Dillon in the Class A playoffs at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Oct. 30. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Whitefish running back Keenan Curtiss (30) scores a touchdown on a 22-yard reception in the second quarter against Dillon in the Class A playoffs at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Oct. 30. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Whitefish running back Vance Schwaiger (23) picks up yardage on a run in the first quarter against Dillon in the Class A playoffs at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Oct. 30. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Whitefish running back Keenan Curtiss (30) catches a 22-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter against Dillon in the Class A playoffs at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Oct. 30. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Whitefish defensive lineman Braylon Dunn (5) stops a run by Dillon running back Trey Hankinson (5) in the second half of a Class A playoff game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Oct. 30. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Whitefish defensive backs Sam Rainford (20) and Luke Dalen (10) defend a pass attempt to Dillon wide receiver Eli Johnson (15) in the first quarter of a Class A playoff game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Oct. 30. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Whitefish wide receiver Sam Rainford (20) is brought down after a run by Dillon linebacker Tucker Crowe (11) in the second half of a Class A playoff game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Oct. 30. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Whitefish wide receiver Vlad Shestak (5) picks up yardage on a run in the third quarter against Dillon in a Class A playoff game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Oct. 30. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Two Whitefish defenders put a stop to a run by Dillon running back Trey Hankinson (5) in the second quarter of a Class A playoff game at Memorial Field on Friday, Oct. 30. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Whitefish defensive back Jayke Thew (4) wraps up Dillon wide receiver Gage Curnow (9) in the first half of a Class A playoff game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Oct. 30. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Whitefish quarterback Luke Dalen (10) picks up yardage on a run in the fourth down against Dillon in the Class A playoffs at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Oct. 30. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
SPORTS REPORTER, KEEPING SCORE AND BIG SKY NOW PODCAST HOST Luke Schmit leads the charge on our local and regional sports podcast shows. His coverage includes regional and college athletics connected to Montana and the broader Big Sky Conference. Schmit reports on major games, athletes, and sports trends affecting teams across the region. He also contributes interviews, analysis, and multimedia coverage for digital audiences. His reporting helps readers stay connected to the teams and athletes that shape Montana sports. IMPACT: Luke’s work brings readers closer to the teams and athletes that define Montana’s sports culture. | October 31, 2026 12:00 AM
WHITEFISH — The Bulldogs couldn't have asked for a better send off for Memorial Field.
After an early deficit Friday night, Whitefish scored 29 unanswered points to defeat Dillon 36-12 in the opening round of the Class A football playoffs.
Bulldogs quarterback Luke Dalen had a hand in four touchdowns, completing 17 of 23 passes for 201 yards and a score, while rushing for 108 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries.
The victory sends Whitefish (9-1) into the quarterfinals against East Helena, but it also marked the end of an era for the Bulldogs, who finished undefeated at home in their final season at Memorial Field.
After the game, seniors walked across the field together one last time, sharing hugs and reflecting on a place that has meant so much to their program.
"It's a lot, you know? A lot of emotions," senior Vlad Shestak said. "I don't like to cry. I was close."
Before the final farewell, the Bulldogs had to battle through a tough first half against a Dillon team that challenged Whitefish on both sides of the ball.
Vance Schwaiger opened the scoring with a 23-yard touchdown run, but Dillon answered with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Canin Christiansen to Gage Curnow in the back of the end zone. Leo Bungener blocked the extra point to preserve a 7-6 Whitefish lead.
Christiansen put the Beavers ahead early in the second quarter on a 3-yard touchdown run, giving Dillon a 12-7 lead.
Dalen credited Dillon's defense for making things difficult early, particularly in pass coverage.
"Their linebackers were really good," Dalen said. "They did their job really well. They were dropping into pass coverage, made it tough for me to find my guys."
Whitefish stole the momentum right back with two touchdowns before halftime.
Dalen connected with Keenan Curtiss for a 23-yard screen pass for a score and ran in the 2-point conversion to regain the lead. He later scored on an 8-yard run to send the Bulldogs into the break ahead 22-12.
Whitefish continued to find success on the ground in the second half, with Dalen breaking loose for a 48-yard touchdown run before adding another score from 3 yards out.
"Up front is where we won the game tonight," said Bulldogs coach Brett Bollweg.
Schwaiger finished with 104 rushing yards on 19 carries as Whitefish totaled 248 yards on the ground and 449 yards of offense.
Curtiss caught three passes for 56 yards, while Shestak led the Bulldogs with five receptions for 49 yards. Shestak also came away with a fourth-quarter interception.
Christiansen completed 15 of 31 passes for 190 yards as Dillon finished with 287 yards of total offense.
Dalen said the victory was also special for the former Bulldogs who returned to watch the final game.
"I'm just glad we were able to go undefeated at home this year," Dalen said. "Not only for our guys, for our team, but for everyone else and all the old guys who are lining the fence."
While Whitefish's time at Memorial Field has come to an end, the Bulldogs have at least one more week together.
"We are ecstatic to go on the road, and we are ecstatic to have another Monday together," said Bollweg.
Dillon 6 6 0 0 - 12
Whitefish 7 15 14 0 - 36
W — Vance Schwaiger 23 run (Owen Aldridge kick), 9:43
D — Gage Curnow 11 pass from Canin Christiansen (kick blocked), 6:43
D — Christiansen 3 run (pass failed), 11:55
W — Keenan Curtiss 23 pass from Luke Dalen (Dalen run), 8:53
W — Dalen 8 run (Aldridge kick), 2:23
W — Dalen 48 run (Aldridge kick), 8:54
W — Dalen 3 run (Aldridge kick), 4:32
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Whitefish — Vance Schwaiger 19-104, TD; Luke Dalen 15-108, 3 TD; Vlad Shestak 2-15; Sam Rainford 2-11; Keenan Curtiss 1-10. Dillon — 28-97.
PASSING: Whitefish — Luke Dalen 17-23-201, TD. Dillon — Canin Christiansen 15-31-190, TD.
RECEIVING: Whitefish — Keenan Curtiss 3-56, TD; Vlad Shestak 5-49; Brody Forthofer 3-30; Sam Rainford 2-26; Austin Alton 3-24; Vance Schwaiger 1-11.
Whitefish running back Keenan Curtiss (30) scores a touchdown on a 22-yard reception in the second quarter against Dillon in the Class A playoffs at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Oct. 30. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Whitefish running back Vance Schwaiger (23) picks up yardage on a run in the first quarter against Dillon in the Class A playoffs at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Oct. 30. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Whitefish running back Keenan Curtiss (30) catches a 22-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter against Dillon in the Class A playoffs at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Oct. 30. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Whitefish defensive lineman Braylon Dunn (5) stops a run by Dillon running back Trey Hankinson (5) in the second half of a Class A playoff game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Oct. 30. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Whitefish defensive backs Sam Rainford (20) and Luke Dalen (10) defend a pass attempt to Dillon wide receiver Eli Johnson (15) in the first quarter of a Class A playoff game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Oct. 30. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Whitefish wide receiver Sam Rainford (20) is brought down after a run by Dillon linebacker Tucker Crowe (11) in the second half of a Class A playoff game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Oct. 30. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Whitefish wide receiver Vlad Shestak (5) picks up yardage on a run in the third quarter against Dillon in a Class A playoff game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Oct. 30. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Two Whitefish defenders put a stop to a run by Dillon running back Trey Hankinson (5) in the second quarter of a Class A playoff game at Memorial Field on Friday, Oct. 30. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Whitefish defensive back Jayke Thew (4) wraps up Dillon wide receiver Gage Curnow (9) in the first half of a Class A playoff game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Oct. 30. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Whitefish quarterback Luke Dalen (10) picks up yardage on a run in the fourth down against Dillon in the Class A playoffs at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Oct. 30. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
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