Four times in the red zone. Four times without a score.

That proved to be the difference in the game as the Columbia Falls Wildcats lost to Frenchtown 28-13 Friday night at home.

Frenchtown put up two touchdowns in the second quarter, one on a 17-yard pass and another on a 45-yard pass to go up 14-0.

But the Cats responded with a  drive in the second after a fake punt by Trip Ross kept the drive alive in the closing minutes.

The Cats would get to the Bronc’s 10. But on fourth down a reverse by Jory Hill was stopped at the five yard line.

In the third, the Cats drove to the Bronc’s 8-yard line, but once again, came away with no score as they lost possession on downs.

But they kept battling and with 1:32 in the third Trip Ross rumbled in from a yard out after a nice run by quarterback Banyan Johnston got them close. The point after failed.

But Frenchtown responded with a touchdown from 16 yards out to go up 21-6 with 7:15 left in the fourth.

The Cats responded with yet another drive deep in Frenchtown territory. But with 4:15 left in the game the drive stalled at the 6.

They kept battling and Johnston found Hill on a 22-yard pass in the corner of the end zone with 2:24 left to make 21-13 as the PAT was good this time.

The defense then stiffened up, and the Cats got the ball back with 1:51 on the clock. The Cats had one last chance to tie it, but Johnston’s throw down the sideline was picked off and ran back for a 47-yard Frenchtown touchdown with 1:25 left. The Cats needed a quick score and an onside kick to have any chance, but neither happened and the game ended.

The Cats travel to East Helena this Friday. They have a bye the following week and then start their conference schedule.

Coach Kelly Houle said the focus this week is the red zone offense and execution.

“We need to be able to score when we get down in there,” he said.

He noted the Cats racked up 400 yards of offense against the Broncs and the defense held the Broncs to 300 yards. Trip Ross had 18 tackles while Kyler Voermans had 12. Johnston threw for 291 yards.