Good start, bad finish for Cats

For the first quarter, the Columbia Falls Wildcat football team dominated Stevensville. Unfortunately, a football game is four quarters long. The Yellowjackets made that clear in a 34-14 drubbing of the Cats at home Sept. 9.

The Cats were up 14-0 in the first quarter and playing well on both sides of the ball. Austin Barth hit Alex Presnell on a 41-yard pass to open up the scoring for the Cats, and Daniel Jones had a 14-yard run to make the lead 14-0.

It looked like Columbia Falls would blow out the Yellowjackets. But Stevi quarterback Caleb Vance settled in and began to pick apart the Cats' young secondary.

Stevi scored 20 points in the second quarter while the ‘Cats offense, which was running like a well-oiled machine, suddenly sputtered.

Barth threw two interceptions in the game, one that was ran back for a Stevi touchdown late in the second quarter.

"There was definitely a let down," coach Bill Coleman said. "I don't know what it was."

Coleman said the Cats had breakdowns on both offense and defense.

"We had people not doing their jobs," he said. "That's my fault. I just didn't have them ready to play."

The woes continued in the second half, as Stevensville added 14 more points to put the Cats away. One bright spot was a pick in the end zone by Alex Presnell to squash a Stevi drive in the second half.

Vance ended up with 237 yards and two touchdown passes while Barth went 6-of-18 passing for 189 yards. Jones had 73 yards on 26 carries.

Columbia Falls is now 1-1 and will look to right the ship against Browning away Friday night. The Indians are coming off a loss to Whitefish.

"We just have to focus on details," Coleman said.

Stevensville 0 20 14 0 - 34

Columbia Falls 14 0 0 0 - 14

Columbia Falls - Alex Presnell 41 yards from Austin Barth (Barth kick)

Columbia Falls - Dan Jones 13 run (Barth kick)

Stevensville - Josh Haynes 15 pass from Caleb Vance (Vance kick)

Stevensville - Vance 3 run (kick failed)

Stevensville - Josh Lords interception return

Stevensville - Tyler Gavlak 24 run (Vance kick)

Stevensville - Haynes 36 pass from Vance (Vance kick)