Cats extend winning streak to seven

The Columbia Falls football team buzzed the Libby Loggers 44-6 last week to extend their record to 7-0.

Zach Darling rushed for three touchdowns in the second half, while Alex Presnell caught two touchdown passes and kicked a field goal in the Oct. 18 win in Libby.

Ty Morgan also had a 16-yard touchdown catch for the Wildcats. Morgan leads the conference in scoring with 104 points and 13 touchdowns — he averages more than two touchdowns a game.

Darling had 17 carries for 188 yards, scoring on runs of 6, 40 and 18 yards. Quarterback Jared Trinastich was 13-for-23, passing for 157 yards.

The game was a little closer than the score would suggest — at least in the first half. Libby drove inside the Wildcat’s 10-yard line twice, but the Cats’ defense held the Loggers from scoring, including a big hit by Ike Schweikert to stop a drive on fourth and goal.

Then Columbia Falls poured it on in the second half, scoring 30 points in the third quarter alone.

Coach Jackson Schweikert said the Wildcats didn’t play their “A” game in the first half, but came out fired up in the second.

The Loggers are now 1-7 overall and 0-3 in conference play.

With the win, Columbia Falls is assured at least a share of the divisional title. A win this week against Polson would tie the best record in school history. The Cats went 8-0 in 1975.

The Polson game at home has a 7 p.m. start. The Pirates are 5-2 overall and 2-1 in conference. They’re coming off a 52-20 win over Havre.

Dillon is the only other undefeated team in Class A, at 7-0 as well.

Schweikert said this team can go as far as it wants. They set their goal to be a final four team at the beginning of the season and he thinks they can get there.

“I feel like we can make the final four,” he said.

But the Cats are focused on Polson right now. Polson is a well-coached team, runs the ball well and has a good quarterback, Schweikert said.

A win against the Pirates would secure the conference title and give the Wildcats a first-round bye in the playoffs.

Col. Falls 7 7 30 0 – 44

Libby 0 6 0 0 – 6

CF – Alex Presnell 12 pass from Jared Trinastich (Presnell kick)

CF – Ty Morgan 16 pass from Trinastich (Presnell kick)

L – Nic Robertson 9 run (PAT failed)

CF – FG Presnell 23

CF – Zach Darling 6 run (Presnell kick)

CF – Presnell 13 pass from Trinastich (PAT failed)

CF – Darling 40 run (Presnell kick)

CF – Darling 18 run (Presnell kick)