14-0 Bulldogs to host state championship
Showdown with Libby is set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Smith Fields
By DAVID ERICKSON/Whitefish Pilot
It's scary how dominating the Whitefish boys soccer team is playing right now, just in time for Halloween.
Indeed, the Bulldogs "are playing like a team possessed," according to head coach O'Brien Byrd.
The Livingston Rangers found that out this weekend, as has every team the Bulldogs have stepped onto the field with this season.
Some might say the stars have aligned for the Whitefish boys, allowing them to host a second consecutive state title game and to defend their crown.
The Bulldogs have won an unprecedented 29 straight games dating back to last year's championship run, and this weekend they will go for 30.
Kickoff against Libby (who the Bulldogs have beaten twice this year) is set for 2 p.m. at Smith Fields on Saturday.
The stars may have something to do with it, but out scoring their opponents an unbelievable 69-9 this season hasn't hurt either. On Saturday, the Whitefish boys (14-0) obliterated the Livingston Rangers 8-0 in the Class A semifinal match.
Although it seems impossible that this undefeated team is actually still improving, it appears as though they are. As dangerous a team as the Bulldogs have been throughout the season, to go on the road and destroy a top-ranked team (the Rangers were 11-2 coming into the semifinal match) like they did is just plain frightening.
"(Livingston) was a very good top-ranked team, they were a number-two seed," Byrd said.
If the Libby Loggers (8-4-1), who have to come into the Dog Pound on Saturday, aren't shaking in their cleats by now, they don't have blood in their veins.
According to Byrd, the Ranger's game plan on Saturday was apparently to foul the Bulldogs into submission.
"They were trying to hurt us physically. I haven't seen that in all my years of coaching," he said.
Livingston chose the wrong team to pick a fight with, as the Bulldogs tore off two goals in the first four minutes, en route to a 4-0 halftime lead while shutting out the Rangers.
The Rangers, who fouled the Bulldogs 16 times, received two yellow cards, one red card and an embarrassing home blow-out loss for their efforts.
"It stoked our fires," Byrd said. "And instead of letting our foot off the gas in the second half, we attacked. There was no way we were going to let them get away with that. We showed them that if you play soccer like that, you pay the price."
Preston Taylor had four goals, bringing his total to 22 on the season.
"Although the stats make it look like it was the Preston Taylor show, it really was a team effort," Byrd said. "We gave him some beautiful through-balls, and he put some great touches on the ball."
The Bulldog defense, led by Tyler Gardner, Nik Ortman and Jake Danczyk, were once again stellar, holding the Rangers to just eight shots on goal, compared to Whitefish's 21.
Byrd said the fan support in Livingston was fantastic, and he expects a big turnout for Saturday's title game.
Since the game is a Montana High School Association contest no passes will be honored for admission to the game. Ticket prices will be $6 for adults, $5 for students.
Whitefish 4 4 — 8
Livingston 0 0 — 0
Whitefish — Alex Konopatzke (penalty kick), 1:00; Matt Grindrod, 4:00;
Preston Taylor (Pat Jones), 20:00; Shane Widdifield (Grindrod), 25:00;
Taylor (Jonas Magstadt), 53:00; Jones, 60:00; Taylor (Ian Hosek),
63:00; Taylor, 70:00
Shots on goal — WF 21, Liv. 8
Corner kicks — WF 6, Liv. 2
Goalie saves — WF 8 (Joe Galbraith), Liv. 10 (Robert Lahren)
Fouls — WF 11, Liv. 16
Cards — WF 1 (yellow), Liv. 3 (2 yellow, 1 red)