Turnovers hurt 'Dogs in shoot-out at Ronan

The Bulldogs put up 26 points and nearly 400 yards of total offense Friday in a shoot-out with Ronan, but it wasn't enough to keep pace in the conference battle. The Chiefs outscored Whitefish 28-13 in the second half en route to a 50-26 win.

Ball security again doomed the 'Dogs as four of their five turnovers led to Ronan scores.

"We had some great drives going," Whitefish coach Chad Ross said. "We moved the ball well, but then we had mistakes."

Whitefish took a 7-6 lead early in the second quarter when Jeremy Nielsen punched in a 1-yard touchdown run — his first of three scores on the night.

"Nielsen looked great out there," Ross said. "It's good to have him back."

Ronan quickly countered with two more scores to take a 22-13 lead into halftime.

"In the first half, it was close," Ross said. "We played a lot better, but we're still not all the way. We'd hold them for two or three downs, then give up a big play. We had nine guys doing the right things, which is better than where we started at Havre, but we need 11."

Ross said the defensive unit broke down in the second half.

"We were trying to make someone else's play," Ross said.

Despite the defensive breakdowns, Ross was impressed with the offense's ability to move the chains with steady drives.

"We threw the ball short really well," Ross said. "Connor's only played four games. He'll only get better with repetition and time."

Gage Vasquez had a breakout game for Whitefish, hauling in 13 of the 15 passes thrown his way.

"Gage has great hands," Ross said. "We moved him to the slot so he'd have more opportunities, and he caught the ball great. He has very good positioning."

Christopher Forrest chipped in with nine catches of his own.

Whitefish 0 13 6 7 - 26

Ronan 6 16 16 12 - 50

R - Marcus Hungerford 12 run (pass failed)

W - Jeremy Nielsen 1 run (Connor Ellis kick)

R - Dalton Molzhon 38 pass from Robbie Gauthier (Dallas Jore run)

R - Gauthier 9 run (Jore pass from Gauthier)

W - Nielsen 1 run (kick failed)

R - Hungerford 60 punt return (Lucus Black run)

W - Nielsen 65 run (pass failed)

R - Chris Clary 25 pass from Gauthier (Cole McArthur pass from Gautheier)

R - Black 6 pass from Gauthier (run failed)