'Dogs slip by Loggers

Whitefish held off a late surge from the Libby Loggers on Oct. 9, and the Bulldogs came home with a 21-20 conference victory.

The Loggers missed a 25-yard game-winning field goal late in the fourth quarter to clinch the win for the 'Dogs.

"It was nice to bounce back after a tough loss last week," coach Patrick Dryden said. "It's the first time we've won in Libby since 2001. We played a great game.

"I have a lot of respect for Libby and their coaches."

Defense was the key to victory for the 'Dogs as they shut out the Loggers in the final quarter of play.

In the middle of the third quarter, the muddy field conditions led to Whitefish mishandling a snap and fumbling the ball. Libby picked up the loose ball and took it to the 10-yard line to set up the potential go-ahead score.

But Whitefish's defense stepped up — led by senior Derek Crittenden — and forced a third-and-two situation. With Libby looking to run, Crittenden and Tyson Ferda combined to bust through Libby's offensive line and break up the play for no gain.

Then, on fourth and one, the Loggers went for it, but again, Crittenden clogged up the middle and stopped Libby for a two-yard loss.

"It was a turning point in the game," Dryden said about the key defensive stop.

Crittenden also recovered a fumble and ran for 70 yards on eight carries.

The game started quickly for Libby when quarterback Kelly May hit Kody Berget on a 60-yard touchdown strike.

"They came out and hit a big pass on us," Dryden said. "But then the momentum came back for us. We mixed it up and were more physical."

The 'Dogs responded with three consecutive scores.

Tanner Benedict punched in a six-yard run for a touchdown in the first quarter to put Whitefish on the board.

In the second quarter, brothers Willie and Mac Roche continued their touchdown streak by hooking up twice through the air to put the 'Dogs in control.

"They have a communication level only brothers can pull off," Dryden said about the duo. "The second touchdown was a great route, where Willie faked a fade, then Mac threw the ball to a spot where only Willie could get it."

Libby tacked on seven more points before the half off a 23-yard fumble return, and struck again in the third on a three-yard touchdown run to narrow the score to 21-20.

Dryden commended his special teams unit for keeping the Bulldogs in the game in the fourth quarter.

The average starting point for the Loggers was their own 25-yard line. Daniel Simmons had seven punts in the game for 242 yards — four of which were inside the 15-yard line.

Whitefish totaled 340 yards of offense.

Simmons rushed 20 times for 94 yards, and Tanner Benedict ran seven times for 40 yards.

Willie Roche was the leading receiver, catching four balls for 78 yards and two scores, followed by Connon Silliker's four catches for 68 yards.

Mac Roche threw 11 times for 164 yards and no interceptions.

This week, the Bulldogs host Polson at the Dawg Pound at 7 p.m.