Vikings upend Chiefs, 35-0

The Vikings continued making their mark in Class A football Friday as Bigfork rolled past the Ronan Chiefs at home, 35-0.

Bigfork got three passing touchdowns from senior quarterback Tristen Herd and another two on the ground by sophomore running back Asher Knopik as the Vikings improved to 2-0 on the season and in Northwest A action.

Bigfork got the scoreboard with their opening possession when Herd hooked up with Eli Thorness from seven yards out before finding Thorness again for a 2-point conversion to put the Vikings up 8-0.

Knopik pushed that lead to 14-0 on Bigfork’s next possession as he broke free for an 8-yard scoring run.

Herd found Wyatt Johnson from 20 yards out to put Bigfork up 21-0 early in the second quarter as Bigfork pulled away.

Knopik scored the final two touchdowns of the contest with a 5-yard run in the second quarter and a 9-yard reception from Herd in the third.

Knopik finished the game with 79 rushing yards to lead the Bigfork ground attack while Johnson added 61, Noah Pandina had 24, Thomas Eberly had 12 and Herd added 1.

Herd finished 9 of 12 passing for 130 yards and three touchdowns while Thorness had 58 receiving yards, Johnson added 46, Eberly had 18 and Knopik 9.

Johnson led the Bigfork defense with eight tackles while Eberly, Andrew Wallen and Knopik each had five and Austin Savik added 4.5.

The Vikings offense finished the game with 308 yards compared to Ronan’s 184, with Bigfork picking up nearly twice as many first downs as the Chiefs in the contest.

The Vikings will be on the road for a battle of unbeaten teams Friday as they travel to face the Broncs in Hamilton.

Hamilton is 2-0 this season after earning wins against Whitefish (21-7) and Butte Central (57-18).

Kickoff in Hamilton is set for Friday evening at 7 p.m.