Dogs buzz past Loggers, 45-29
Defense led to offense, and the offense led to five unanswered touchdowns as the Bulldogs lit up the Libby Loggers Friday night for a 45-29 conference victory.
“This win speaks of our team’s character,” Whitefish senior running back Shane Marcial said after the game. “It feels great to come back and get momentum going into conference. It’s a mental boost for us.”
Whitefish came out blazing and forced a turnover on Libby’s opening drive.
Freshman quarterback Luke May wasted no time taking advantage of the turnover and connected with Logan Harwood on an 8-yard touchdown pass just three minutes into the game.
Less than 15 seconds later, Sean Foley returned a pick-six interception to make it 13-0.
May capped the first quarter scoring blitz with an 81-yard touchdown bomb down the right sideline to Walter Holiday, who outjumped his defender and took the pass all the way to the endzone.
May was 14 of 19 passing and helped the dogs rack up 440 yards in total offense.
In a blink the score was 20-0. The Loggers were hit by a flurry of scores and were left staggering in the corner.
The offense kept rolling in the second quarter after Whitefish recovered another Libby fumble. May scrambled out of the pocket to his right and found running back Shane Marcial on a 19 yard touchdown pass, his first of three scores on the night.
Marcial also returned a fumble 45 yards for a score and ran 40 yards for another. He finished with 146 yards rushing on 17 carries.
The senior is third in the state in scoring, averaging more than two TDs a game. He commends the offensive line for creating his scoring chances.
“I have a lot of faith in my guys,” Marcial said. “I know I can take one cut and one of my guys will be there to make the block or make a hole. It’s the greatest feeling. Our team is working really hard.”
He noted the team’s better defensive play.
“All week we preached defense,” Marcial said. “The offense is doing their job, tonight it came down to defense.”
Whitefish coach Chad Ross acknowledged the play of junior defensive back David Rizzlo.
“He’s one of the best corners Whitefish has had in years,” Ross said. “Just outstanding.”
Libby 0 0 15 14 — 29
Whitefish 20 7 6 12 — 45
Whitefish — Logan Harwood 8 pass from Luke May (kick failed)
Whitefish — Sean Foley 27 interception return (Shane Marcial kick)
Whitefish — Walter Holliday 81 pass from May (Marcial kick)
Whitefish — Marcial 19 pass from May (Marcial kick)
Whitefish — Foley 24 pass from May (kick failed)
Libby — (no name) 69 pass from Jared Winslow (Winslow run)
Libby — TD (Valentine kick)
Libby — (no name) 84 pass from Winslow (pass failed)
Whitefish — Marcial 40 run (kick failed)
Whitefish — Marcial 45 fumble return (kick failed)
Libby — (no name) 3 pass from Winslow (Winslow pass)