Gridders scrape by Libby to secure playoff berth
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
Every point counts.
That old adage rang true Friday night, as the Whitefish Bulldogs defeated their longtime nemesis Libby for the first time since 2002. Both teams scored one touchdown, but only Whitefish converted their PAT to hold on for a hard-fought 7-6 win.
The victory moves the 'Dogs to 3-0 in Northwestern A (4-3 overall) and secures them a playoff berth. The Loggers dropped to 0-3 in conference play.
"I never dreamed that would make the difference in the game," Whitefish head coach Patrick Dryden said of the failed extra point attempt by Libby. "Most people expected this game to be a shoot-out, but it was just a good, classic football game. A game like that really tests your character."
With 20 seconds left in the game, Whitefish senior defensive back Seth Wiley intercepted the ball at his own 10-yard line to preserve the win as the crowd and Bulldog sideline erupted.
"It's spectacular," Wiley said, still breathless. "I was reading the quarterback's eyes and reading the receiver, too. We haven't beat Libby in a long time. It feels great to get the win."
Whitefish got on the board first when Derek "The Train" Crittenden powered his way in for a 3-yard TD run in the second quarter. Elespuru nailed the PAT, which would prove crucial.
The Loggers threw a curve ball into their offense, opting to start sophomore Kelly May at quarterback, as regular starter Joel Fuller, arguably the best athlete in the conference, lined up in the backfield due to a thumb injury. TJ Benson got the Loggers on the board late in the second quarter with a 23-yard TD strike from May.
The rest of the game was just good old-fashioned hard-hitting defensive football.
The Bulldog defense swarmed on every play, limiting Libby to just 101 yards on the ground on 27 carries. Josh "The Sacker" Backer got two huge sacks and several tackles for the Bulldogs.
Aaron Tkachyk had a big drive-stopping interception for Whitefish late in the third quarter, but the 'Dogs were unable to capitalize.
Whitefish sophomore quarterback Mac Roche was under constant pressure and was sacked by the nasty Logger D-Line four times for minus-43 yards. Roche finished 8-for-17 for 92 yards in the air. He just missed his receivers for huge gains by a couple of inches more than once.
The Whitefish defense came up with big stops when they needed to, including a swat-down of a pass by defensive lineman Dylan Dryden on a big fourth-and-10 play in the fourth quarter.
"That was key because a kid was open across the middle," coach Dryden said. "Nothing is more exhausting in football than rushing the passer, and our kids did a great job. Josh Backer, David FauntLeRoy, and Conner Silliker tormented the Logger offense all night. Dustin Beck had some huge hits."
Whitefish finished with zero penalty yards on the night, while Libby had five calls for minus-55 yards, including a roughing-the-passer call before an interception that gave the Bulldogs the ball back.
"Their kids played with a lot of heart," Dryden said of the Loggers. "Our squad is really a tight-knit bunch. You can't tell who the seniors, juniors and sophomores are. They all sit with different kids. I like that."
The Bulldogs travel to Polson next Friday, with kickoff set for 7 p.m., and Dryden knows his squad has another big test.
"Polson looks like the class of the league," Dryden said. "Making the playoffs was our first goal, but our second goal is to host a playoff game. We haven't done that in a long time."
WF 0 7 0 0 - 7
Libby 0 6 0 0 - 6
WF - Rushing: D. Simmons 19-for-107; Crittenden 11-for-61, TD; Roche
1-for-8. Passing: Roche 8-for-17, 92 yds. 1 interception. Receptions:
Tkachyk 1-for-35; Whitehead 2-for-22; Knox 1-for-8, Elespuru 2-for-15;
Benedict 1-for-2.
WF Libby
Rushing 34-for-181 27-for-101
Passing 8-for-17, 92 yds. 20-for-34, 189 yds.
Sacks 4 4
Interceptions 2 (Tkachyk, Wiley) 1 (Adam Alsbury)
No other stats available.