Dogs buck Broncs for playoff berth
Another impressive defensive performance at home Friday helped Whitefish secure a spot in the upcoming Class A state football playoffs.
The Bulldogs tallied four rushing touchdowns, one in each quarter, to roll past Frenchtown 28-6 in a Northwest A showdown at the Dawg Pound.
Whitefish (6-2, 2-1) now sits at second place in the conference behind undefeated Columbia Falls and ahead of Polson. The top three teams make the state tournament. The Bulldogs are positioned to host a first-round playoff game unless the Pirates can upset top-rated Columbia Falls on Friday.
“It’s exciting to bring a winning tradition back to Whitefish,” head coach Chad Ross said about locking up a playoff berth and winning record. “Getting into the playoffs was one of our goals.”
“We’re still trying to reach our ceiling — I don’t think we’ve peaked yet.”
Whitefish held the Broncs to 140 yards of total offense. Other than one successful drive at the end of the second quarter, Frenchtown couldn’t get anything going. They only got off three plays in the entire third quarter.
“We played a great first quarter and third quarter,” Ross said. “Our front seven played great.”
Offensively, the Dogs were consistent and efficient.
Whitefish quarterback Luke May led the Dogs with 95 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns. He was 10-for-12 passing for 111 yards.
May found the end zone in the first quarter on an 18-yard run to give Whitefish the early advantage. He scored his second rushing touchdown from 11 yards out as the Dogs took a 14-0 lead.
Frenchtown would counter on a 70-yard drive before the half to tighten the score at 14-6.
Whitefish responded in the third when senior running back Calub Thilmony busted into the end zone from 4 yards out. Thilmony finished with 68 rushing yards on seven carries.
Senior Sean Foley capped the scoring in the fourth with a 15-yard TD run.
Ross commended senior defensive back Dave Rizzolo who pulled down his league-leading seventh interception of the season.
The coach also noted the play of senior Hugh Ramlow who stepped up at guard.
“He came in and did a great job for us on senior night,” Ross said.
Frenchtown 0 6 0 0 – 6
Whitefish 7 7 7 7 – 28
W – Luke May 18 run (Nathan Boone kick)
W – May 11 run (Boone kick)
F – Gus Butler 6 run (kick blocked)
W – Calub Thilmony 4 run (Boone kick)
W – Sean Foley 15 run (Boone kick)