Dogs prepare for title rematch

Although the Bulldogs travel to Dillon Friday in a rematch of last year’s dramatic state title game, Whitefish head coach Chad Ross stressed it won’t be last year’s teams taking the field.

“Yes, it’s a repeat of last year’s state game, but we’re a whole different team,” Ross said.

Following Saturday’s season-opening loss to Havre, Ross said the focus is on using these early nonconference games to improve before the Bulldogs start Northwest A play at Polson on Sept. 30.

“We’re trying to get better every week so when we really get into our conference games we start making our playoff run then. We just need to make sure we go forward and not backward,” Ross said.

Dillon returns 18 seniors from last year’s 11-1 runner-up team, and several other new seniors puts the total at 24. Quarterback Troy Anderson, who last season threw for 2,289 yards and 29 touchdowns, as well as running back R.J. Fitzgerald, lead the Beavers’ offense.

“They’re solid. They replaced their line but all their specialty kids are still there,” Ross said.

The Bulldogs have the advantage of having played a game already, while this week’s game is the first time the Beavers will take the field.

The game is at 7 p.m. at Beaverhead County High School in Dillon.