Wildcats claw Bulldogs at home

One minute into Friday’s rivalry battle with Columbia Falls, and it looked like it could be the Bulldogs’ night.

After recovering their own kickoff to start the game, the Dogs marched right into the endzone on a 20-yard Jack Eisenbarth rush.

Then the Wildcats got going.

Despite going scoreless in the first quarter, the Wildcats came roaring back. Running back Colten McPhee led the way with four rushing touchdowns for Columbia Falls.

The Bulldogs defense held strong in the first quarter, stopping the Wildcats on two consecutive fourth downs, one on the four-yard-line.

Columbia Falls made it on the board early in the second quarter, with McPhee scoring on a 20-yard rush.

Whitefish got one play on the following drive, with quarterback Mark Anderson losing the ball on a quarterback keeper.

The Wildcats took advantage of the mistake with a field goal.

McPhee tacked on another rushing touchdown, this time from four yards out. Columbia Falls missed the PAT but knocked in another field goal to close out the half.

It was all McPhee in the second half, scoring on runs of 57, 10 and 7 yards.

Drew Morgan had the other TD for Columbia Falls on a 4-yard run.

Whitefish finished the game with 85 yards rushing and 60 passing, while Columbia Falls racked up 400 yards of rushing and 33 through the air.

Whitefish heads to Libby Friday to close out the regular season.

Columbia Falls 0 19 7 14 — 40

Whitefish 7 0 0 0 — 7

W — Jack Eisenbarth 20 run (Carver Gilman kick)

CF — Colten McPhee 21 (Auguste Emond kick)

CF —Emond 27 field goal

CF — Drew Morgan 4 run (kick failed)

CF — Emond 28 field goal

CF — McPhee 57 run (Emond kick)

CF — McPhee 10 run (Emond kick)

CF — McPhee 7 run (Emond kick)