Whitefish powers past Hamilton, 52-19
Dominate defense, almost unstoppable offense — exactly the kind of performance Whitefish was looking for heading into the State A football playoffs.
Whitefish put its imprint on strong Hamilton team Friday night with a 52-19 nonconference romp to cap the regular season. As a No. 1 seed, Whitefish (8-1 overall) has a first-round playoff bye and will host either Sidney or Belgrade on Nov. 7.
Whitefish coach Chad Ross was impressed, once again, with the Dogs’ stifling defensive effort that stuffed Hamilton’s ground game at minus 2 yards.
“Great defensive game by our guys,” Whitefish coach Chad Ross said. “Hamilton hit real hard, came out ready to play.”
The seniors put on a display for senior night, led by quarterback Luke May.
May had his hands in five of the Dogs’ six end zone strikes. He piled up three scores on 82 yards rushing, and went 14 for 18 passing for 172 yards and two TDs.
His first passing strike was a beautiful 25-yard bomb to senior Brian FauntLeRoy in the back corner of the end zone to put Whitefish up 14-0 in the first quarter.
May punched in a 5-yard TD run and hit FauntLeRoy on a short TD pass to blow the game open in the second quarter. Whitefish led 31-6 at the half.
Defense highlighted the second half for Whitefish.
With the Broncs scraping to get some offensive momentum, Jed Nagler picked off a pass and took it 37 yards into the end zone.
On the next Hamilton drive. Zander Wold picked off a pass that set up an easy 1-yard TD run by Chris Park to make it 52-6.
Park finished with 56 yards rushing on eight carries. Nagler had 46 yards receiving to lead the effort.
Carver Gilman booted in a 37-yard field goal and connected on seven PATs to add to the scoring.
Hamilton 6 0 0 13 — 19
Whitefish 14 17 21 0 — 52
W — May 37 run (Carver Gilman kick)
W — Brian FauntLeRoy 25 pass from May (Gilman kick)
H — Jonathan Ringer 17 pass from Bret Huxtable (kick failed)
W — May 5 run (Gilman kick)
W — Gilman 37 fg
W — FauntLeRoy 2 pass from May (Gilman kick)
W — May 5 run (Gilman kick)
W — Jed Nagler 37 interception return (Gilman kick)
W — Chris Park 1 run (Gilman kick)
H — Bridger Bauder 10 pass from Huxtable (kick good)
H — Bauder 14 pass from Huxtable (pass failed)