Dogs shut out in battle with Wildcats

Whitefish football coach Chad Ross knew Friday’s rival contest at Columbia Falls would come down to a battle in the trenches. He just didn’t expect a result that was so one-sided.

The Wildcats (5-0, 1-0) held every advantage up front Friday at Satterthwaite Field as they muted the Bulldog offense in a 21-0 Northwestern A victory on Columbia Falls’ homecoming night.

The Columbia Falls offense came into the game touting a league-best passing attack, but turned the tables and pounded out 185 yards on the ground as they slowly picked apart Whitefish’s front line.

The Wildcats scored touchdowns in each of the first three quarters. It was all they would need to mark their second consecutive victory in the rivalry match-up.

Whitefish (3-2, 0-1) was held to just 169 total yards of offense — 94 rushing and 75 passing. Penalties and unforced errors killed the Bulldogs’ few scoring chances as they never made it into the red zone.

A pick-six interception by Chris Park in the first quarter was called back after a pass interference call, and a solid drive later in the quarter was stalled after a fumbled snap deep in Wildcat territory.

A bright spot for the Bulldogs’ was the success of their veteran secondary. The Columbia Falls passing game was held to only 84 total yards. Defensive backs Dave Rizzolo and Walter Holliday each pulled in interceptions to keep Whitefish in the game.

Whitefish 0 0 0 0 — 0

Columbia Falls 7 7 7 0 — 21

CF- Ty Morgan 10 pass from Jared Trinastich (Alex Presnell kick)

CF- Josiah Osbourne 42 run (Presnell kick)

CF- Osbourne 6 pass from Trinastich (Presnell kick)