Dogs blank Stevensville

The Bulldogs won their second straight game behind a strong defensive performance, shutting out Stevensville (2-2) 20-0 Friday.

Whitefish (2-2) followed up on last week’s fast start by jumping out to a two-touchdown lead in the first quarter.

“We’re starting to do the little things right,” head coach Chad Ross said. “We still had some turnovers that hurt us but overall our defense is playing really well.”

Senior quarterback Derek Kastella got the first points on the board with a touchdown pass to Brady Staves, and Tyler Cote scored on a 15-yard rush to push the lead to 14-0. Parker McWhirter took an interception 20 yards back for a touchdown for the Bulldogs’ final score of the night. Kastella finished 9 for 12 passing for 70 yards but left in the third quarter after injuring his knee on a run.

Ross said Kastella will be ready to go Friday against Corvallis.

Cote led Whitefish in rushing with 109 yards on 17 carries and Sawyer Silliker caught seven passes for 55 yards.

The Bulldogs had only three penalties the entire game and led Stevensville 280 to 171 in total yards.

Friday’s first two drives saw scores for the Bulldogs, and Ross said the fast starts have been important for his team in the last two weeks.

“It gives momentum. Our offense clicked really well, our first two drives it was just boom, boom,” he said.

However, the key now is keeping that momentum going, as the Bulldogs’ offense didn’t score after those first two drives.

“These next few games we just need to find a way for our offense to finish. Those redzone turnovers are going to kill us,” he said. “Every game is a playoff game now. They all matter.”

Whitefish 14 0 6 0 — 20

Stevensville 0 0 0 0 — 0

W — Brady Staves 22 pass from Derek Kastella (Haley Nicholson kick)

W — Tyler Cote 15 run (Nicholson kick)

W — Parker McWhirter 20 interception return (kick failed)