Dogs clinch football conference championship
Whitefish clinched the Northwest A conference championship on Friday with a 35-9 win at Frenchtown. It’s the first conference title for the Bulldogs since 2002.
Whitefish coach Chad Ross said bringing home some hardware is a big boost to the football program.
“This is great for the program, the school and the players,” Ross said. “There’s excitement again. People are coming to games — we had more fans than Frenchtown did last week.”
Twelve years without a conference title is a long drought to finally break, Ross admits.
“Before the game, I asked the guys if they remember the last time Whitefish won the conference. They reminded me they were only 5 years old in 2002. They were just little kids. They remember Polson dominating and Columbia Falls, but not Whitefish.”
Along with bragging rights, winning the conference earns Whitefish (6-2, 3-0) a bye in the first round of the Class A playoffs — which is a good and bad thing, Ross said.
“You can get out of the routine, but it helps heal some nagging injuries,” he said. “As long as we can stay focused.”
Whitefish handled the Broncs on the road with a strong running game.
Junior running back Brian FauntLeRoy led the effort with 102 yards on eight carries and three touchdowns.
Junior quarterback Luke May passed for 109 yards. He also picked up 68 yards running.
FauntLeRoy opened the scoring in the first quarter on a 5-yard run.
May then connected with Jack Streibich on a 25-yard TD pass to make it 14-0 in the first quarter.
FauntLeRoy found the end zone again in the second quarter on a 30-yard jaunt.
Chris Park punched in a 10-yard run in the third quarter, and FauntLeRoy capped the Dogs’ scoring with a 26-yard TD run.
“Brian had a breakout game,” Ross said. “So did Chris. It all goes back to the offensive line.”
Streibich finished with four catches for 57 yards. Jed Nagler had four catches for 53 yards. Park carried the ball seven times for 50 yards.
Ross noted the play of Logan Wynn at linebacker.
“He’s looking like one of the best linebackers Whitefish has had,” Ross said. “He’s played incredible the last few weeks.”
Whitefish wraps up the regular season when they host Libby on Friday at 7 p.m.
Whitefish 14 7 7 7 – 35
Frenchtown 3 0 0 6 – 9
WF – Brian FauntLeRoy 5 run (Luke Cardon kick)
F – FG Valeriy Chinikaylo 28
WF – Jake Streibich 25 pass from Luke May (Cardon kick)
WF – FauntLeRoy 30 run (Cardon kick)
WF – Chris Park 10 run (Cardon kick)
WF – FauntLeRoy 26 run (Cardon kick)
F – Gus Butler 7 run (kick failed)