Bulldogs push for playoffs after loss to Broncs
Jaxsen Schlauch races ahead of the Broncs defense during a 57-yard reception. (Daniel McKay/Whitefish Pilot)
Devin Beale looks for room to run in the Bulldogs' home loss to Hamilton. (Daniel McKay/Whitefish Pilot)
Head coach Chad Ross voices his frustration with a call in the Bulldogs' home loss to Hamilton. (Daniel McKay/Whitefish Pilot)
Jaxsen Schlauch turns the corner in the Bulldogs' home loss to Hamilton. (Daniel McKay/Whitefish Pilot)
Fynn Ridgeway lets a long pass fly in the Bulldogs’ home loss to Hamilton. (Daniel McKay/Whitefish Pilot)
Fynn Ridgeway fires a pass to Jaxsen Schlauch in the Bulldogs' home loss to Hamilton. (Daniel McKay/Whitefish Pilot)
Jaxsen Schlauch makes the catch in the Bulldogs' home loss to Hamilton. (Daniel McKay/Whitefish Pilot)
Devin Beale looks for room to run in the Bulldogs' home loss to Hamilton. (Daniel McKay/Whitefish Pilot)
Bodie Smith finds a hole in the defense in the Bulldogs’ home loss to Hamilton. (Daniel McKay/Whitefish Pilot)
Jaxsen Schlauch races ahead of the Broncs defense during a 57-yard reception. (Daniel McKay/Whitefish Pilot)
It was a tough night on the gridiron for the Bulldogs, who fell 41-0 to the Hamilton Broncs.
Whitefish had a strong opening drive cut short by a Devin Beale fumble in Hamilton territory, but the Dogs were able to keep the Broncs from capitalizing.
Hamilton quarterback Carson Rostad found his groove later in the quarter, however, connecting on a 22-yard pass to put Hamilton up 7-0.
Whitefish had another fumble inside Hamilton territory on the ensuing drive after an errant shovel pass. A long Hamilton drive, which included multiple third down and one fourth down conversion, ended with a strong Bulldogs defensive stand on the 18- yard-line on fourth down.
Whitefish quarterback Fynn Ridgeway threw an interception on the very next play, however, and Hamilton marched down to score their second touchdown of the night to go up 14-0.
Rostad scored his third touchdown of the night on a 2-yard pass to go up 21-0 at halftime.
The second half didn’t go any better for the Dogs. Rostad racked up his fourth touchdown pass on the opening drive of the quarter from 10 yards out.
Whitefish fumbled on their next offensive play, leading to another Rostad touchdown from 12 yards out.
The Dogs showed some life after Fynn Ridgeway connected to Jaxsen Schlauch for a 57-yard pass, but Whitefish couldn’t convert on fourth and goal.
Rostad scored his sixth and final touchdown from the 9-yard-line.
Whitefish hosts Stevensville Friday for its final home game of the season. They’ll wrap up the regular season next week in Dillon.
Right now the team sits behind four 6-1 teams in the Western division, including Hamilton, Dillon, Libby and Frenchtown.
Whitefish needs a win against either Stevensville or Dillon to make the playoffs this season.