Cats lose to Polson at home

Ugh. The Polson Pirates avenged last year's conference loss to Columbia Falls in a big way Sept. 22, downing the Wildcats 36-7.

The game started out in Columbia Falls favor when Wildcat Connor Williams intercepted a Vince DiGiallonardo pass and ran it in for a touchdown to put the Cats up 6-0.

The point after touchdown kick by Austin Barth was good. But that score was sort of like kicking a hornets nest.

Polson rattled off 36 unanswered points. DiGiallonardo scored three rushing touchdowns, and the Cats' offense continued to sputter.

The Cats did have some chances. About 11 minutes into the second quarter, Columbia Falls drove down to Polson's 13 but couldn't score. The Cats then stopped Polson and got the ball back on the Pirate's 28-yard line.

On the ensuing possession, however, Barth's pass was deflected by his receiver, and Polson intercepted the ball to kill another Wildcat opportunity.

It just wasn't the Cats' night. They'd have a nice string of plays, then they would get a drive-killing penalty or Barth would get sacked. Polson's defense deserves credit. They have yet to allow an offensive touchdown this season.

Columbia Falls was without some key players. Brandon Windauer had a sprained ankle, and Mark Hader was out, offensive lineman Dylan Watkins was out and running back Daniel Jones didn't play the second half.

"Their defense was pretty strong," said Cats coach Bill Coleman. "And we didn't execute very well."

He noted that at any given time, the team had four sophomores on the field. Still, backups need to step up, he noted.

The boys will look to right the ship on a long road trip to Park County High School in Livingston this Friday. They then face Whitefish at home on Oct. 7.

Polson 7 14 8 7 - 36

Columbia Falls 7 0 0 0 - 7

CF - Connor Williams 32 interception return (Austin Barth kick)

P - Vince DiGiallonardo 32 (run Justin Hoel kick)

P - DiGiallonardo 29 run (kick failed)

P - Chris Cote 1 run (Ian Laimbeer pass from DiGiallonardo)

P - DiGiallonardo 3 run (Laimbeer run)

P - Paul McClurg 3 run (Hoel kick)