Ross lifts Wildcats past East Helena in Northwest A action

HELENA — Trip Ross had a night to remember for the Wildcats on Friday.

Ross rushed for four touchdowns and kicked a 36-yard field goal as time expired to lift Columbia Falls past East Helena 38-35. 

The two teams traded scores throughout the first half. Ross scored twice on the ground in the opening quarter, but East Helena answered with three touchdowns to take a 21-13 lead. 

Ross broke loose for a 58-yard touchdown in the second quarter, while the Vigilantes scored twice more to take a 35-19 lead into halftime. 

Columbia Falls' defense didn't allow another point. 

Ross scored his fourth rushing touchdown in the third quarter and later connected on a 40-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 35-28. 

Banyan Johnston tied the game with a 12-yard touchdown run in the fourth, setting up Ross' game-winning kick as time expired. 

Ross scored 31 of the Wildcats 37 points and finished with 197 yards on 27 carries. Johnston threw for 201 yards and rushed for 75, while Jory Hill caught eight passes for 133 yards. 

Columbia Falls finished with 482 yards of offense. 

Columbia Falls    13    6    9    10    -    38 

East Helena    21    14    0    0    -    35 

Whitefish 31, Corvallis 0

WHITEFISH — Luke Dalen led a Bulldogs takeover after their quiet first quarter. 

The Bulldogs (2-1) quarterback accounted for three touchdowns in a shutout on the Blue Devils. 

Dalen broke the scoreless tie with an 11-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Whitefish added two more scores in the third, with Schwaiger finding the end zone from 2 yards out before Dalen connected with Forthofer for a 55-yard touchdown. 

Dalen scored again on a 1-yard run in the fourth, and Aldrige finished the scoring with a 27-yard field goal. 

Dalen went 14 of 22 for 185 yards and added 50 yards on the ground. Schwaiger rushed for a team-high 86 yards on 11 carries. 

Forthofer had four catches for 73 yards, while Shestak caught five passes for 74. 

Whitefish held Corvallis (1-2) to 30 rushing yards on 26 carries 

Corvallis    0    0    0    0    -    0 

Whitefish    0    7    14    10    -    31

W — Dalen 11 run (Aldrige kick)
W — Schwaiger 2 run (Aldrige kick)
W — Forthofer 55 pass from Dalen (Aldrige kick)
W — Dalen 1 run (Aldrige kick)
W — Aldrige 27 FG 

Sidney 28, Polson 0

POLSON — Sidney scored once in each quarter and finished with 350 yards of offense in a shutout of Polson on Friday night. 

The Eagles (3-0) did most of their damage on the ground, rushing for 197 yards on 33 carries while adding 153 yards through the air. 

Polson (1-2) struggled to get its offense moving, finishing with 105 total yards and converting just 1 of 11 third downs. 

Kelby DuMont led the Pirates with 68 yards on 22 carries. Polson completed 5 of 8 passes for nine yards and threw one interception. 

Sidney finished with 15 first downs compared to six for Polson. 

Hamilton 41, Libby 0 

LIBBY — Hamilton scored all 41 of its points in the first half to shut out Libby. 

The Broncs (2-1) jumped out to a 28-0 lead in the opening quarter, highlighted by Cooper Weston touchdown passes to Easton Hollis and Kaeden Gum. Jude Widmer added four rushing scores. 

Libby (1-2) held Hamilton scoreless in the second half. 

The Loggers go into the bye week before their first Western A matchup in Polson. 

Hamiton    18    23    0    -    41 

Libby    0    0    0    0    -    0