Bulldogs post more than 500 yards against Anaconda

For every Anaconda score, the Bulldogs had an answer — his name, Daniel Simmons.

The senior running back racked up more than 200 yards on the ground and scored four touchdowns on Friday as Whitefish (2-1) posted a 48-28 win over Anaconda (0-3) in a home nonconference Class A match.

"We moved the ball really well," head coach Patrick Dryden said of his team's offensive dominance. "We executed the game plan with both the passing and running game."

The Bulldogs marked up 546 yards of total offense for the game.

The 'Dogs opened the scoring with an 80-yard touchdown drive behind the legs of Simmons and Tanner Benedict. Simmons capped off the drive with a short run up the middle, finding the end zone untouched.

After the 'Dogs' defense held Anaconda to a three-and-out, Whitefish quickly capitalized on its good field position.

Simmons found an opening on an outside run behind a lead block from Derek Crittenden and took the ball 25 yards down the field to the 38-yard line.

Three plays later, quarterback Mac Roche connected on a long pass to put the 'Dogs deep in the red zone, where he then added six points on his own with a 5-yard touchdown run to end the first quarter.

Roche connected on 7 of 13 passes and tallied 215 yards and one touchdown.

Whitefish started the second period with more scoring from Simmons on a five-play 55-yard drive.

Simmons' number was called four times in the drive — all for the same direct-snap play — which he capitalized on with his second touchdown run of the night, putting Whitefish up 20-0.

Dryden said the Bulldog tackles played a great game and opened up the running room Simmons needed to score his 24 points.

Anaconda's struggles continued early in the second quarter when their senior quarterback, Matt King, tossed an interception to defensive back Willie Roche, his second for the night.

"I was having an easy time reading the quarterback," Roche said of his two interceptions.

But a Bulldog fumble quickly negated Roche's pick and put the Copperheads in scoring position.

King took advantage of blown coverage in the secondary and connected with Kyle Moore on a long touchdown pass.

Anaconda tacked on a 2-point conversion to cut the lead to 20-8 going into the half.

The Copperheads came out of the locker room fired up after finding success in their last scoring drive.

With the Bulldogs on the goal in position to put up another six points, Anaconda made an incredible goal-line stand, denying the 'Dogs seemingly unstoppable running game on fourth and goal.

The Copperheads carried that defensive momentum to their next offensive drive, moving the ball 96 yards in an impressive touchdown drive behind the arm and legs of all-star quarterback King.

King capped off the drive with a 20-yard touchdown toss to Eric Boyd — putting the 'Dogs on their heels for the first time in the game 20-16.

But Whitefish responded in a big way with just two plays.

First, Simmons ran the ball down to Anaconda's 20-yard line. Then, junior Jeremy Nielsen went on a 21-yard touchdown scamper to give Whitefish some breathing room on the scoreboard.

The next drive, starting on the Bulldogs' 30-yard line, Mac Roche tossed a deep pass to his older brother Willie Roche. Willie made the catch in the open flats, juked out three Copperhead defenders and used his track-star speed to get into the right side of the end zone.

"That play was awesome," Willie Roche said. "It was just the second deep pass I've ever hooked up with my brother on."

Whitefish tacked on another two-point conversion to go ahead 34-16.

In reaction to the 18-point deficit, Anaconda abandoned the running game and looked to their senior quarterback to make big plays.

King took the game into his own hands and led the Copperheads on a 77-yard drive.

He scrambled for two first downs and tossed a touchdown pass up the middle of the field to Kyle — keeping Anaconda within striking distance.

"We couldn't keep him (King) in the pocket," Dryden said. "We haven't seen a team throw the ball like that. It was a good lesson for our defense and will make us a better team."

Whitefish and Anaconda traded touchdowns in the fourth quarter, with Simmons going on scoring runs of 5 yards and 49 yards.

Although Dryden was pleased with his team's offensive game, he says they need to eliminate some of their turnovers and play stronger defense against the pass.

"We gave up a lot of yards." He said.

This week, Whitefish travels to Stevensville for the final nonconference game on the schedule.