Bulldogs down East Helena as undefeated streak continues
Seven different players scored for the Whitefish Bulldogs as they easily put away East Helena and moved to 5-0 on the season.
The Southwest A Vigilanties, in their first year of varsity football, were no match for the Bulldogs who cruised to a 44-8 victory on Friday in Helena. Whitefish took advantage of a large 27-point lead going into halftime and was able to play many underclassmen throughout the second half.
“It was good, we got to play a lot of our No. 2’s, our underclassmen played the whole second half,” Bulldog football coach Chad Ross said. “It’s really good just to see them play on Friday nights. They moved the ball and they were successful on defense.”
Whitefish didn’t waste any time getting on the board as Bulldog senior Logan Conklin brought down a 55-yard pass early in the first quarter. The Bulldogs tacked on another when quarterback Fynn Ridgeway connected with senior receiver Jaxsen Schlauch on a 32-yard touchdown reception.
In the second quarter Whitefish’s Clayton Godsey also caught a 15-yard pass for a touchdown and Ridgeway ran a punt return all the way to the end zone. Ridgeway was 11-for-16 passing for 144 yards, and no interceptions. He also ran for 37 yards.
With a hefty lead at the half, the Bulldogs started several younger players in the third quarter.
“The younger guys’ very first series, they had a great drive,” Ross recalled. “I think it was a nine-play drive and they scored a touchdown.”
Bulldog junior Decker Wold, who has started the last two games in place of injured runningback Ty Schwaiger, put in a good effort against East Helena. He had a rushing touchdown in the third quarter and had eight carries for 32-yards. Ross was also impressed with senior Dozer McDaniel in his first start at middle linebacker, and said he was their defensive point leader. Whitefish’s sophomore quarterback Mason Kelch also played well going 5-for-6 passing for 82 yards and threw one touchdown.
Kelch found an open receiver, Morgan Kyle, in the fourth quarter for a 40-yard touchdown.
“Decker the last two weeks has done a great job, both defensively and offensively…” Ross said. “Mason did a great job of just controlling the offense… his demeanor is like everyday it feels like he’s at the beach, he’s so calm and cool and collective. He did a great job on that scoring drive making a couple checks and showing that he has the skills necessary to be a good quarterback.”
In the second half Whitefish kicker Ryder Barinowski also scored a 26-yard field goal; he successfully kicked five extra points as well. Whitefish finished the game with 355 yards of total offense.
East Helena’s only score came in the fourth quarter when Izak Longcake caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Braden Howell and the two connected again on the 2-point conversion.
Ross was impressed with his team’s play, but also the camaraderie they showed.
“It's great team chemistry — they get along, they play hard, they work hard and they care about each other…” he expressed. “Even when the younger kids were in there, the older kids were super excited. It's not about any one player, it's about celebrating together and they do a great job of that.”
The Whitefish Bulldogs have an opportunity this week to get closer to a playoff berth as they are aiming for their sixth win of the season. Polson, Hamilton and Columbia Falls are still undefeated in the Western A division.
“It’s a big week, if we win I think we at least guarantee a spot in the playoffs and then every other win moves us up the playoff chart,” Ross said. “It’s been a long time since at game six we knew we were in the playoffs.”
Next week Ross hopes the players can have fun and be kids during Homecoming week, but also maintain their focus for the game.
Whitefish will play Ronan at 7 p.m. on Friday at the Dawg Pound.
East Helena 0 0 0 8 - 8
Whitefish 13 14 7 10 - 44
W — Logan Conklin 55 pass from Fynn Ridgeway (kick failed)
W — Jaxsen Schlauch 32 pass from Ridgeway (Ryder Barinowski kick)
W — Clayton Godsey 15 pass from Ridgeway (Barinowski kick)
W — Ridgeway 37 punt return (Barinowski kick)
W — Decker Wold 2 run (Barinowski kick)
EH — Izak Longcake 18 pass from Braden Howell (Longcake pass from Howell)
W — Barinowski 26 FG
W — Morgan Kyle 40 pass from Mason Kelch (Barinowski kick)