Whitefish used explosive special teams play to pull away for a 50-20 victory over the Havre Blue Ponies on Friday. 

Head Coach Brett Bollweg attributed the victory to a clean, well-played game – an impressive feat for the first game of the season, and an improvement from last year's opener. 

"We didn't make silly mistakes that often happen in week one games," Bollweg said. "Offensively, we were where we needed to be."  

Bollweg said coaches Ryan Boyle and Chad Ross had a clear picture of what they wanted to accomplish, and the athletes were ready to install the work put in the offseason and fall camp. Veteran players snapped into place and younger players proved eager. 

"Brody Forthofer had himself a fun night," Bollweg said. "He returned a couple of kicks and had a great catch for a touchdown. As a sophomore, it was exciting. He's a guy who's worked really hard to put himself in the position that he is in.  

"The great part is, we were able to get all our young guys on the field, let them play and experience what a high school varsity game is like – that's valuable for us." 

Havre earned an early 7-0 lead on Friday after Blue Pony Cooper Walton scored on an 11-yard run and Breden Dibblee added the extra point.  

Whitefish answered immediately when Vlad Shestak returned the kickoff 83 yards for a touchdown. 

The Bulldogs took more control in the second quarter. Quarterback Luke Dalen scored on a 12-yard run, Whitefish recorded a safety, and Forthofer returned a kickoff 60 yards for another touchdown as Whitefish outscored Havre 16-0 in the quarter for a 23-7 halftime lead. 

Whitefish continued to build its advantage in the third quarter. Forthofer caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from Dalen, and Dalen broke loose for a 75-yard scoring run to extend the lead to 36-7 entering the fourth. 

Shestak added a 3-yard touchdown reception from Dalen early in the final quarter before Havre responded with an 80-yard kickoff return by Landon Kinsella and a 1-yard touchdown run from Koltin Peltier. Whitefish capped the scoring when Forthofer returned a kickoff 84 yards for a touchdown. 

Dalen accounted for three touchdowns, rushing for two scores and throwing for two more, while Whitefish scored three touchdowns on kickoff returns. Forthofer had two kickoff return touchdowns and a touchdown reception, and Shestak added a kickoff return touchdown and a receiving score. 

Last year against Havre, the non-conference railroad rivals were leading 21-7 when lightning cancelled the remainder of the game.  

This Friday Whitefish is on the road again and will face a formidable foe in Hamilton. The veteran team will be tough, but the Dawgs are eager to see how things shake out.  

"Right now, our goal is to make the best version of ourselves that we can," Bollweg said.