Cats look to rebound against Loggers

Hungry Horse News

Now the real season begins.

After going 1-3 in its first four games of the season, the Columbia Falls football team will try to right the ship and start out its conference schedule with a homecoming win against Libby this Friday.

The Wildcats continue to have a stellar running game. Nate Thompson ran 37 times for 182 yards in a 28-0 loss against Dillon last week.

But Thompson needs some help if the Cats hope to get past a tough Libby team.

"We're going to have to get a few veteran players to step up," coach Bill Coleman said.

Coleman said the boys in "the trenches' — the linemen — have been playing well, but against Dillon there were key errors by some skill players. Dillon ran back an interception for a touchdown after a Wildcat receiver ran the wrong route and a Wildcat fumble was also converted for a touchdown. The Cats found themselves down 13-0 in the first quarter.

"It was the type of game where we came out in the first half and played toe-to-toe," Coleman said. But the mistakes were killers.

"It's flat-out lack of discipline," Coleman said. "That's my fault."

Having said that, Coleman is confident the Cats can play well against Libby.

Dillon has a big, physical defensive and offensive line and the Cats played tough against it.

"If we can play with Dillon, we can play against any team in the state. We just can't beat ourselves," Coleman said.

Columbia Falls currently leads the conference in team rushing with 242 yards per game, but they're currently last in passing with 74 yards per game.

The game starts at 7 p.m. Friday.

Dillon 28, C. Falls 0

Columbia Falls 0 0 0 0 - 0

Dillon 13 8 0 7 - 28

D - Ben Folsom 8 run (Wes Knox kick)

D - Folsom 58 interception return (kick failed

D - Folsom 1 run (Matt Merenz pass from Folsom)

D - Kyle Cox 2 run (Knox kick)