Bulldogs pull off comeback win over Frenchtown

Positive leadership is infectious within the Whitefish football team this year and on Friday that attitude took over in the second half to spur a come-from-behind victory over Frenchtown on the road.

After falling behind early, the Bulldogs scored 24 unanswered points to win over the Broncs 24-13.

“The kids really rallied,” Whitefish head coach Brett Bollweg said. “It was fun to see them compete and just battle through… they sure stepped up and competed really well.”

The Bulldogs got off to a rocky start in Frenchtown and at first, it seemed similar to the week prior when their mistakes cost them the game against Dillon. But this game turned out to be the polar opposite.

Frenchtown was the first to score as they quickly tacked on 13 points in the first quarter off of a 10-yard touchdown reception and a 1-yard rushing touchdown. As Whitefish struggled to get anything going offensively, the Broncs took advantage.

“They capitalized on it, they scored some points and we struggled to do little things,” Bollweg recalled.

In the second quarter, Whitefish began to move the ball better on offense and on the other side stopped up Frenchtown. Late in the quarter, the Bulldogs ended a drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Fynn Ridgeway to junior receiver Dane Hunt; the extra point was good by Mason Kelch. Though Whitefish still trailed Frenchtown 13-7, the score just before the end of the half made the game feel winnable for the Bulldogs.

“Our guys felt that we had momentum at halftime, they were starting to feel the energy that we need,” Bollweg said. “Instead of playing from behind, they were playing with some enthusiasm and excitement. It was fun to see that.”

In the third quarter, Whitefish carried that momentum and was led by big-time senior players.

The Bulldogs came out of halftime and got a huge stop on Frenchtown. They turned around and executed a drive that resulted in a 1-yard scoring rush by Ridgeway. The senior quarterback would score again shortly after, this time on a 13-yard run.

Before the third quarter was up, Whitefish’s Mason Kelch sent the ball through the uprights for a field goal which gave the bulldogs a two-score lead heading into the final quarter.

“We came out in the third quarter, got a big stop right away, and then started to do what we wanted to do,” Bollweg said. “Moved the ball up and down the field, made big stops on defense, had a couple interceptions — it was a really positive thing overall for us.”

Neither team scored again in the game as Whitefish held on to win.

Ridgeway led the team’s offense connecting on 15 of 28 passes for 135 passing yards while rushing for 121 yards. Schwaiger had an impressive game as well, picking up 78 yards on the ground. Clayton Godsey led the receivers with 53 yards.

Kelch was three-for-three on PAT attempts as well as the 27-yard field goal. He also had an interception and caught four passes for 30 yards. Jesse Burrough brought down one interception as well.

“It was fun to see the guys step up, encourage each other,” Bollweg said.

“...You start to see [leadership] become infectious with other guys too,” he added.

Whitefish is now 1-1 on the season and will face Butte Central this week. Bollweg says a game against Butte Central is always a battle.

“(Butte Central) is always a game that is going to challenge us…” Bollweg said. “We need to put together all four quarters, and it will be fun to see how our guys respond after this last big win.”

The Bulldogs host Butte Central on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Dawg Pound.

Whitefish 0 7 17 0 — 24

Frenchtown 13 0 0 0 — 13

F - 11 pass (kick good)

F - 1 run (kick no good)

WF - Dane Hunt 6 pass from Fynn Ridgeway (Mason Kelch kick)

WF - Ridgeway 1 run (Kelch kick)

WF - 13 run Ridgeway (Kelch kick)

WF - 27 FG Kelch 3Q

Individual stats:

RUSHING: Whitefish (42-261) — Ridgeway 26-121, Ty Schwaiger 11-78, Clayton Godsey 1-5, Decker Wold 1-4, Mason Kelch 1-1, Brady Howe 1-1.

PASSING: Whitefish — Fynn Ridgeway 15-28-135, 1 TD.

RECEIVING: Whitefish — Godsey 2-53, Kelch 4-30, Jesse Burrough 2-27, Schwaiger 3-22, Hunt 3-18, Carson Krack 1-12, Gabe Miller 1-4.