Bulldogs topped by Wildcats

The number on the back of Daniel Simmons' jersey was barely legible, and Maxl Smith had chunks of turf smeared across his face.

The Bulldogs' mud-drenched uniforms told the story of the football team's season-ending 33-14 loss to rival Columbia Falls on Oct. 23.

Whitefish left everything they had on the field — there would be no regrets.

"We played our butts off," Bulldog head coach Patrick Dryden told the team after the game. "They (Columbia Falls' are a very good team."

The loss put Whitefish out of the Class A football playoffs for only the second time in the past 20 years.

They finish the season with a 1-4 conference record, including a last-second two-point loss to Ronan on Oct. 2 that may have been the deciding factor between making the playoffs and turning in the pads early.

"We've had some great moments this season," Dryden told the team. "We've got some good memories and that's what it's all about. We had a lot of fun."

Whitefish was overpowered by Columbia Falls' large offensive line, as the Wildcats' offense had their way thoughout the game — racking up more than 450 yards, led by 190 yards on the ground from running back John Woody.

Dryden said the Wildcats defense played a tough game, but it was the 'Dogs inability to score near the goal line that debilitated Whitefish's chances.

"They don't make any mistakes defensively," Dryden said. "We got into the red zone four times and came away with no points. We were a play or two away from pulling that game out."

The Bulldogs opened the cold and rainy game with a vengeance when senior Tanner Benedict scored on Whitefish's first play of the game after a 60-yard scamper into the end zone.

Columbia Falls equalized on the ensuing drive behind a 2-yard run into the end zone by Nate Thompson.

In the second quarter, the Wildcats pulled away with two scores, including a 30-yard pass on a fourth-and-six play from Mitchell Wassam to Matt Triplett.

At the start of the second half, Simmons carried the ball 56 yards down the field to set up a 10-yard touchdown connection between brothers Mac Roche and Willie Roche.

The score put Whitefish within reach until Wassam delivered a backbreaking 60-yard pass to Kaleb Johnson, who leaped over two Bulldog defenders to make a grab and run into the end zone.

Columbia Falls tacked on another score in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

Daniel Simmons finished the game with 164 hard-earned yards on 17 carries. He also caught two passes for 29 yards.

Dryden commended Simmons after the game, saying he played the best game of his high school career.

"He had a level of determination I haven't seen from him," Dryden said. "It was a great way for him to finish his high school career."

Collegiate teams from the Frontier conference have showed an interest in landing Simmons, as well as schools from North Dakota.

Going into next season, Dryden said he sees a lot of potential from the team's underclassmen.

"The freshman team has some talented kids that have to make an impact right away," Dryden said.

He said the team has to hit the weight room this winter and that recruiting new talent to the team will be necessary if the Bulldogs want to compete in the conference next season.

Dryden said it is tough to reflect on a season so quickly after it ends, but that the game against Stevensville was a definite highlight.

"We were down most of the game and had a big fourth-quarter comeback," he said. "Winning in Libby for the first time since 2001 was another highlight."

Dryden said he was most impressed by how the team carried themselves, on and off the filed, this season.

"Other than a few injuries, no negative things happened," he said. "The kids conducted themselves with a lot of class and I can't fault the effort or desire they showed."