Bulldogs shine for Montana in Badlands Bowl
<p>Whitefish quarterback Luke May looks for a target Friday in a game at Columbia Falls. Chris Peterson / Hungry Horse News</p>
The Montana team dominated the Badlands Bowl from start to finish in a thorough 36-7 beat down of neighboring North Dakota Saturday in Dickinson, N.D.
Whitefish athletes fueled the rout.
Bulldog quarterback Luke May tossed three touchdowns, went 14 for 18 passing, and was named the offensive player of the game.
“Luke picked up where he left off after the championship game,” said Bulldog coach Chad Ross, who led the Montana team at the Badlands Bowl. “He was making people miss and finding people down field. It was fun to watch. I’ll miss seeing that kid in a Whitefish uniform.”
May tossed a 35-yard touchdown pass to Fairview’s Ben Hardy to give Montana a 12-0 lead before halftime.
Montana kept rolling after the break, with May connecting on a 9-yard touchdown toss to Boulder’s Jered Padmos.
Montana returned a blocked punt for a touchdown before May again found room deep to hit Dillon’s Peyton Lafrentz for a 28-yard score and a 36-7 lead.
Whitefish’s State A championship team was well represented on the Montana roster. Along with May at quarterback, Chaffin Ross played defensive end and Brian FauntLeRoy was at safety.
“Brain had a couple break-ups and Chaffin had a couple tackles,” Ross said.
Eric May assisted in coaching duties. Jed Nagler and Chris Park were invited to play but were sidelined with injuries.
Montana has won the Badlands Bowl for the 17th time in 23 tries.