Cats roughed up by Broncs

The Columbia Falls football squad was roughed up by the Hamilton Broncs last week at home, 32-12.

The Broncs have three players over 300 pounds and their offensive and defensive lines held the Cats in check most of the game.

Still, the size difference wasn't an excuse, Cats coach Bill Coleman said.

"I'm obviously disappointed," he said. "It felt like we took a step backwards."

Coleman said the team doesn't play well at home, and that blame falls on him.

"I just didn't do a good job of getting them ready to go," he said.

The Broncs scored on their first possession and Hamilton fullback Paul Donaldson rushed for more than 100 yards, blasting through holes opened up by the Broncs' linemen.

The Cats were down 13-0 after the first quarter. Cats' running back John Woody would score on an 8-yard run to make it 13-6, but the Broncs answered with another touchdown to make it 19-6 at the half. The Broncs widened the lead to 32-6 by the fourth quarter. Mitchell Wassam hit Nate Thompson on a 5-yard pass to make it 32-12, but it was too little, too late.

The Cats had opportunities — they recovered a fumble in the second half and Kyle Howell nabbed an interception with a toe tapping sideline grab, but they were never able to capitalize on those opportunities.

Coleman said the team needs to get better at technique both individually and in its defensive and offensive schemes.

"They have the potential to be a good football team," he said. "But potential never won a game."

The team travels to Browning for a non-conference matchup Friday at 7 p.m. The Cats are now 1-1 on the season.

Hamilton 32, C. Falls 12

Hamilton 13 6 7 6 - 32

Columbia Falls 0 6 0 6 - 12

H - Josh Brenneman 26 run (kick failed)

H - Paul Donaldson 1 run (Josh Peterson kick)

CF - John Woody 8 run (kick failed)

H - Eddie Ango 15 pass from Brenneman (kick failed)

H - Donaldson 8 run (Peterson kick)

H - Donaldson 15 run (kick failed)

CF - Nate Thompson 5 pass from Mitchell Wassam (pass failed)