Bulldogs sack Browning in 45-14 win
There was no stopping Whitefish once its offensive unit found traction.
The Bulldogs posted 38 unanswered points through three quarters Friday night as Whitefish sacked Browning at home in a 45-14 non-conference victory.
Solid defense kept Whitefish in the game as its offense sputtered early in the first half. Heavy pressure in the pocket rattled Browning quarterback Brandon Galbreath and Whitefish (2-0, 0-0) held the Indians to just 50 yards total offense through three quarters.
“Defense has been a point of emphasis for us,” Whitefish coach Chad Ross said. “We’re solid on the edges and in the middle.”
Whitefish senior Koler Kanistanaux posted a dominant performance on both sides of the ball and helped lead the defensive effort with one sack and 2 1/2 tackles for a loss.
“We were penetrating the line and getting to the quarterback,” Kanistanaux said. “That got us motivated.”
Bulldog senior Sean Foley posted Whitefish’s first points with a 45-yard interception returned for a touchdown.
Whitefish ended another Browning drive in the first quarter when Dave Rizzolo intercepted a pass at the 35-yard line. Browning was stopped again in the quarter when Chris Park recovered a fumble after a bad snap.
Senior defensive back Walter Holliday made a fantastic one-handed diving interception along the sideline to stop Browning again early in the second quarter.
On the ensuing drive, Whitefish’s offense finally hit when sophomore quarterback Luke May connected with receiver AJ Wetsch on a short pass. Wetsch followed key blocks as he sprinted down the west sideline and dove into the south end zone for the score.
Whitefish’s offense fired on all cylinders after the break.
Kanistanaux tallied two rushing touchdowns in the third quarter on runs of six and 15 yards.
“It was good to get those off,” he said. “We weren’t executing well in the first half, but in the second half we knew we wanted to come out hard and do what we did.”
He said Friday’s game was a good display of the Bulldog ground attack.
“Our main thing is throwing the ball, but we do have a great running game,” Kanistanaux said. “I’m glad we got to show that tonight.”
Foley capped the game’s scoring with a 72-yard kickoff return. Kanistanaux fielded the short kick midfield. Just as he was being tackled Kanistanaux tossed a lateral pass to Foley who blazed across the field and down the east sideline untouched into the end zone.
“That was just a little bit of innovation,” Kanistanaux joked. “Coach wasn’t happy about that one.”
May finished 10 for 18 passing for 166 yards and one touchdown. He also ran for one score in the third quarter.
Jack Streibich had three receptions for 53 yards to lead the Dogs.
Foley led the Bulldogs’ ground game with 57 yards on 10 carries.
Brady Harwood had one sack and 2 1/2 tackles for losses.
Browning 0 0 0 14 — 14
Whitefish 7 7 17 14 — 45
W — Sean Foley 45 interception return (Nathan Boone kick)
W — AJ Wetsch 28 pass from Luke May (Boone kick)
W — Koler Kanistanaux 6 run (Boone kick)
W — May 6 run (Boone kick)
W — Boone 41 field goal
W — Kanistanaux 15 run (Boone kick)
B — Trevor Gray 13 pass from Jakey Bell (Jore Hall kick)
B — Hall 25 pass from Gray (Hall kick)
W — Foley 72 kickoff return (Boone kick)