Mission Valley places ten NWA gridders on postseason list

by John Heglie

2023FB-POLSON – (a-s): Austin Oberwegner OL (2nd-tm OT); (2nd-tm): Brock Henriksen DE; (hm): Holden Emerson QB, Tommy Sherry WR/TE, Ezra FastHorse DL, Brenden Griffin CB.

DILLON – (hm): Keyen Nash DE.

2023FB-RONAN – (a-s): Coleton Sherman OL (1st-tm C), Laurance Lozeau LB (1st-tm OLB/2nd-tm WR-TE); (hm): Kolby Finley QB, Nate Young OLB.

Half dozen Pirate gridders acknowledged all-conference

by John Heglie

2023 Polson Pirates (2-3, 4-4)

Pirate football saw a half dozen of their starters accentuated for their athletic acumen on the gridiron this past season.

Conferred with all-state status is lineman Austin Oberwegner for his proficiency at anchoring of the offensive line for the Pirates. At 6-5, Oberwegner posed a sizeable obstruction to navigate around for defenders intent upon penetrating the Polson backfield. But his capabilities were equally represented on defense, where he led the team in pressuring quarterbacks (hurries) and also tied second for team leading tackles. This was a repeat second-team pick for Oberwegner.

Named to the second-team for his work at defensive end is Brock Henriksen, whose broad representation among multiple defensive categories included team second-leading harrassent of quarterbacks (hurries). At the offensive end, Henriksen was team third leading receiver. Henriksen's contributions at both ends of the line of scrimmage merit qualification in that he was sidelined the first three games. This was a repeat second-team nom, receiving recognition at linebacker last season.

Quarterback Holden Emerson received an honorable mention acknowledgment for his millennial marksmanship, throwing for over 14 hundred yards supplemented by scrambling for over another 500 yards to account for almost two millenia of total yardage.

Receiver Tommy Sherry was acknowledged as an honorable mention on account of his team leading reception yardage that was knocking at the door of the half millenium mark.

Defensive lineman Ezra FastHorse likewise earned an honorable mention. FastHorse led the team in tackles for loss as well as kick kaboshes with a pair of blocked punts this past season along with stratifying as third-leading tackler for the Pirates,.

Cornerback Brenden Griffin was acknowledged for an honorable mention for multiple aspects of exemplary defense. Griffin led the team in interceptions with a quintet that included a rare hat trick trio against Whitefish as well as led the team in overall tackles.

Accrued athletic accolade acknowledgements

Austin Oberwegner (FB a-s, 2x a-c 2nd-tm T), Brock Henriksen (FB 2x a-c 2nd-tm DE 2023/LB 2022), Holden Emerson (FB a-c hm QB; BB 2023 StateA champion), Tommy Sherry (FB a-c hm WR/TE), Ezra FastHorse (FB a-c hm DL), Brenden Griffin (FB a-c hm CB).

cumulative career (seniors only)

Austin Oberwegner – 4PD(2023:3pd, 2022:1pd), 4FR(2023:2fr, 2022:2fr), SK(2023:3sk, 2022:1.8sk), 15TFL(2023:10⅙, 2022:4⅚, 2021:0), HRY(2023:9hry, 2022:1hry), TKL/AST: 14t39a(2023:11t32a, 2022:3t15a, 2021:2a), Pancake Block(2021:10)

Brock Henriksen – RUSH 35-204(2023: 12-36, 2022:2-11, 2021:21-157), REC 42-617(2023: 17-323, 2022:25-294), PASS(2023:0-1, 2021:6-10-44); 1OSKR(2021:1oskr), 1FR(2023:1fr), 2½SK(2023:½sk, 2022:1sk, 2021:1sk), 10HRY(2023:7hry, 2022:3hry), 12⅓TFL(2023:5, 2022:5⅚, 2021:1½), TKL/AST: 31t52a(2023:8t10a, 2022:7t20a, 2021:16t22a).

Tommy Sherry – RUSH (2023:1-1), REC 30-650 (2023:20-484, 2022:10-166), FF(2023:2ff), FR(2022:1fr), TKL/AST(2023: 11t4a, 2022:2t4a).

Ezra FastHorse – BK(2023:2), 2PD(2023:1pd, 2022:1pd), 4FR (2023:1fr, 2022:2fr, 2021:1fr), FF(2021:1FF), 4SK(2023:3sk, 2022:inj, 2021:1sk), 5HRY(2023:2hry, 2022:inj, 2021:3hry), 19⅓TFL(2023:10⅚, 2022:inj, 2021:8½), TKL/AST: 24t45a (2023:14t20a, 2022inj:1t1a, 2021:9t24a).

Brenden Griffin – 5INT(2023:5), 2PD(2023:1pd, 2022:1pd), 1FR(2023:0fr, 2022:1fr), HRY(2023:0, 2022:0hry, 2021:1hry), 3TFL(2023:1½, 2022:0, 2021:1½), TKL/AST: 43t64a (2023:23t28a, 2022:5t18a, 2021:15t18a).

Lincoln Burrough – FF(2022:2ff), FR(2023:1fr), 2⅚SK(2023:1½, 2022:1⅓sk), HRY(2022:2), 10⅔TFL(2023:5⅓, 2022:5⅓), TKL/AST: 6t33a (2023:3t10a, 2022:3t23a), Pancake Block(2021:5).

Aiden Gfroerer – PD(2023:1), TKL/AST(2023:7t21a, 2022:2t).

Seth Cunningham – TFL(2023:½), TKL/AST(2023:1t2a).

Uriah Ulutoa – RUSH(2023:64-339), REC(2023:3-15), PD(2023:1pd), 2SK(2023:1, 2022:R1sk), HRY(2023:2), 2TFL(2023:1, 2022:R1), TKL/AST(2023:16t14a, 2022:R1t16a,2021:R9t/a).

Logan Smith – na

Fall2023fb Polson Pirate stat pack (2-3nwa, 4-4)

RUSH – P277-992 (Ho.Emerson 162-539, Uriah Ulutoa 64-339, Daniel O'Roake 8-53, Landon Shoemake 22-26, Brock Henriksen 12-36, Griffin 1-4, Sherry 1-1, Doty 6-0, Brayson Dumont 1-(-6)). PASS – 83-183-1451 (Holden Emerson 83-182-1451, B.Henriksen 0-1). RECEIVE – 83-1451 (Tommy Sherry 20-484, Cason Graham 22-377, Brock Henriksen 17-323, Cody Haggard 10-146, Griffin 8-96, Ulutoa 3-15, Shoemake 3-10, [Max Ramesar 1-6]).

6INT (Griffin 5, Haggard). 14PD (Oberwegner 3, Shoemake 3, Graham 2, Haggard 2, Ulutoa, Henriksen, Griffin, Gfroerer, FastHorse). 11SK (Oberwegner 3, FastHorse 3, Haggard 2, Burrough 1½, Ulutoa 1, Henriksen ½, Griffin ½). 23HURS (Oberwegner 9, Henriksen 7, Brown 3, FastHorse 2, Ulutoa 2, Doty). 7FF (Graham 2, T.Sherry 2, Brown, Doty, Haggard). 11FR (Brown 2, Graham 2, Haggard 2, Oberwegner 2, Burrough, FastHorse, Henriksen). 5BK (4Punt: FastHorse 2, Brown, Haggard; 1FG: ¹Bulette, ²Graham). 54⅙TFL (FastHorse 10⅚, Oberwegner 10⅙, Bulette 5⅚, Brown 5⅔, Burrough 5⅓, Henriksen 5, Haggard 2⅚, Graham 2½, Griffin 1½, Ulutoa 1, T.Sherry 1, Shoemake 1, Doty ½, Rushing ½, Cunningham ½). TKL/AST: 156t254a (Griffin 23t28a, Ca.Graham 13t28a, Austin Oberwegner 11t32a, FastHorse 14t20a, A.Brown 9t29a, Cody Haggard 10t23a, Ulutoa 16t14a, Gfroerer 7t21a, Shoemake 15t13a, T.Sherry 11t4a, Kyrin Doty 4t14a, Brody Bulette 7t7a, B.Henriksen 8t10a, Burrough 3t10a, J.Rushing 2t4a, S.Cunningham 1t2a, Cooper Kisler 2t, Jack Sherry 1t1a, Evan Veach 3a, Bryce Allred 1t, Nate Dotson 1t, Lathan PrettyWeasel 2a, O'Roake 1a, Garrett Wilmar 1a). SCORING – Polson(211): Holden Emerson 68(11TDrun, 1Crun, 8TDpass, 1Cpass), Uriah Ulutoa 38(6TDrun, 1Crun), Tommy Sherry 26(4TDrec, 1Crec), Lucian Sawyer 23(3FG, 14PATkick), Brenden Griffin 18(2TDrec, 1TDir), Cody Haggard 12(1TDbk, 1TDir), Brock Henriksen 12(1TDrun, 1TDrec), Landon Shoemake 8(1TDrun, 1Crun), Cason Graham 6(1TDrec). 

MaxP MIAs: LucianS 8PAT(lib0of2, bc0of4, stevi1of3), BrendenG 6 (1TDir vs Ron not among pts), CodyH 6(1TDbk under ir not among pts);

fractional tackles [⅓+½=⅚]8.33≈.8, [⅚+⅓=1⅙]1.166≈1.2, [⅓+⅓=⅔].66≈.7

anomalies: rush(MaxP:Emerson 144-603, KERR:161-539) Wf(MaxP:40-240, Emerson 22-144; KERR:P39-147, Emerson 21-51)

MaxPrush: P258-1045 (Ho.Emerson 144-603, Uriah Ulutoa 60-327, Daniel O'Roake 8-50, Landon Shoemake 23-40, Brock Henriksen 13-33, Griffin 1-3, Sherry 2-1, Doty 1-(-6), Brayson Dumont 1-(-6)).

Pass: Holden Emerson (MaxP:78-187-1386, KERR:83-1451)

Western A

2023 NORTHWEST A

COLUMBIA FALLS (5-1, 9-3) – (a-s): Cody Schweikert, QB/LB (1st-tm QB/ILB), Jace Hill WR/DB (1st-tm WR-TE/S), Adler Waters LB (1st-tm OLB), Hunter Goodman OL (1st-tm T/2nd-tm ILB), Kai Golan K (1st-tm K), Lance Voermans DL (1st-tm DL/2nd-tm G), Lane Hoerner DL (1st-tm DE/2nd-tm WR-TE), Mark Robison WR (1st-tm WR-TE/2nd-tm S), Tristan Crane OL (2nd-tm G/DE); (1st-tm): Alihn Anderson CB; (2nd-tm): Chance Miller WR-TE/OLB; (hm): Carson Reid C, Logan Olson T, Austin Dodson CB.

WHITEFISH (3-1, 4-6) – (a-s): Mason Kelch WR/DB (1st-tm WR-TE/S), Dane Hunt DB (1st-tm CB); (2nd-tm): Henry Bennetts T, Dane Hunt WR-TE, Ryder Barinowski P-K, Scott Dalen DE, Henry Bennetts ILB, Carson Krack OLB, Jesse Burrough CB; (hm): Carson Gulick QB, Cole Moses OLB.

BIGFORK (4-2, 4-5) – (a-s): Eli Thorness TE (1st-tm WR-TE), Henry Carlson OL (1st-tm T), Tristen Herd DB (1st-tm S/2nd-tm QB), Wyatt Johnson RB (1st-tm RB/2nd-tm ILB); (hm): Andrew Wallen C, Felix Zambergs DL, Asher Knopik ILB.

POLSON (2-3, 4-4) – (a-s): Austin Oberwegner OL (2nd-tm OT); (2nd-tm): Brock Henriksen DE; (hm): Holden Emerson QB, Tommy Sherry WR/TE, Ezra FastHorse DL, Brenden Griffin CB.

RONAN (2-3, 4-5) – (a-s): Coleton Sherman OL (1st-tm C), Laurance Lozeau LB (1st-tm OLB/2nd-tm WR-TE); (hm): Kolby Finley QB, Nate Young OLB.

LIBBY (2-3, 3-5) – (a-s): Jace Deshazer LB (1st-tm ILB); (2nd-tm): Joel Goodman DE; (hm): Gaige Bache C, Connor Benson OLB

BROWNING (0-4, 2-6) – (2nd-tm): Tommy RunningRabbit WR-TE/S, Tahj Wells RB; (hm): Maurice Redhorn III CB.

2023 SOUTHWEST A

DILLON (5-0, 11-0) – (Offensive MVP): Kee Christiansen (a-s, 1st-tm QB-P/2nd-tm S); (a-s): Kale Konen RB/LB (1st-tm RB/OLB), Carter Curnow, TE/LB (1st-tm WR-TE/ILB), Landen Peterson OL/DL (1st-tm G/DE), Max Davis WR/LB (1st-tm WR-TE/OLB), Cooper Anderson DB (1st-tm S/2nd-tm WR-TE), Misael Jiminez DL (2nd-tm DL); (2nd-tm): Taylor Handlos C, Ryleigh Plovanic T; (hm): Keyen Nash DE, David Schmidlin ILB.

CORVALLIS (4-1, 7-3) – (a-s): Isaac Stoker OL/DL (1st-tm G/DL), Cameron Whiteley DB (1st-tm CB); Dillen Potter WR (1st-tm WR-TE/2nd-tm S); Drew Lewis DL (1st-tm DE), Gideon Boswell DB (1st-tm S/2nd-tm WR-TE), Jr., Corvallis; Levi Reynoso LB (1st-tm ILB), Logan Avery RB (1st-tm RB); (2nd-tm): Aydan Mayn QB, Gideon Stoker OLB, Bennett Boelman CB; (hm): Danner Therrien T, Tas Smith T.

HAMILTON (3-2, 7-3) – (Defensive MVP): Andrew Burrows OL/DL (a-s, 1st-tm T/DE); (a-s): Hunter Stewart WR/LB (1st-tm WR-TE/S), Lucas Lant TE/LB (1st-tm WR-TE/ILB); (2nd-tm): Andrew Frederick RB, Giuseppe Eldridge DL,Tommy Bender CB; (hm): Trevor Lewis G, Tyson Bauder QB, Carter Morgan OLB.

FRENCHTOWN (2-3, 4-4) – (a-s): Brody Hardy DB (2nd-tm S); (2nd-tm): Billy Corette WR-TE; (hm): Brady Schmill RB, Zhander Moua ILB, Cole Zeigler CB.

STEVENSVILLE (0-4, 1-7) – (2nd-tm): Gunnar Larson RB/OLB; (hm): Taeshawn Luster DL, Zachary Sannar DL.

BUTTE CENTRAL (0-4, 0-8) – (a-s): Zane Moodry WR (1st-tm WR-TE); (2nd-tm): Jack Keeley S.

Friday, August 25, 2023

Highlights:

Strategic hinge segment: trailing 20-26 early 3rdQtr, Pirates recovered a fumble in Viking territory around the 34yd line. The recovery would give Polson a chance to either tie or take the lead if they could put the ball in the endzone. Advanced the ball to the 6yd line, but Bigfork allowed no gains for multiple rush attempts. On the following down, Pirates rolled out to throw a pass, but Viking defender penetrated the O-line and had Pirate QB Holden Emerson in his grasp. Emerson attempted a throw toward the right side of the red zone. But officials ruled intentional grounding, which pushed the line of scrimmage back to around the 20yd line. Bigfork would eventually take over on downs. Thereafter, Thorness would get behind the Pirate secondary, Herd would loft the ball into his hands with the result of a 53yd TD and bolster the Bigfork lead by two scores.

Pair of pass plays with scoring potential that didn’t pan out:

Early 4thQtr trailing 20-40, Emerson would connect with a streaking Cason Graham at midfield. IF Graham would have had another step, he could have put the ball away and taken it unobstructed into the endzone. But the Viking defender was able to stretch his arm into the receiver’s grasp and break up the pass.

Later 4thQtr trailing by four scores, Emerson hit Graham for a long gainer of 40yds that advanced the ball into the redzone around the 15yd line of the Vikings. An ensuing pass play would connect with Graham at about the 5yd line. But Bigfork defender David Jayne had position and was able to wrestle the ball away from Graham for an interception. 

Cursory Summary:

8 penalties for 90yds along with 2 turnovers (a fumble and an interception) didn’t help the cause given the field position when many of them took place.

Key segue from my perspective was early 2ndHalf when Polson failed to score off the fumble recovery when could have tied or taken the lead on a successful conversion. Instead, Bigfork stood their ground, then the first long pass play doubled their lead. IF it ain’t broke, why fix it is kind of what took place with the second long pass play to same guy.

Bigfork 55, Polson 20

Pirates (0-1), Vikings (1-0)

Bigfork  20  6 14 15 – 55

Polson     8  6  6   0 – 20

B – Wyatt Johnson 10 run (pitchout faltered)

B – Ollie Buzzell 2 run (Herd kick)

P – Tommy Sherry 16 pass from Holden Emerson (Shoemake run)

B – Thorness 10 pass from Tristen Herd (Herd kick)

P – Landon Shoemake 6 run (run stopped)

B – Eli Thorness 3 pass from Herd (pass incomplete)

P – Emerson 2 run (run short)

B – Thorness 53 pass from Herd (Herd kick)

B – Thorness 58 pass from Herd (Herd kick)

B – Herd 3 run (Herd kick)

B – Asher Knopik 8 run (Wyatt Barnes pass from Herd)

RUN – B37-315 (Johnson 10-152, Samuel Plummer 11-66), P34-89 (Emerson 15-68, Shoemake 17-21).  PASS – B(Herd 8-13-193), P(Ho.Emerson 12-25-212-1). RECEIVE – B8-193 (Thorness 6-171, Buzzell 1-17, Johnson 1-5), P12-215 (Sherry 7-130, Cason Graham 3-75, Brenden Griffin 1-5, Cody Haggard 1-5). INT – B#4 David Jayne. PD – B6(Barnes 2, David Jayne),  FR – B1(Henry Carlson), P1(Austin Oberwegner). FF – (B(Knopik), P(Graham). SK – B(Sam Plummer). HURS – B7(Trent Scherfenberg 2, Felix Zambergs 2). TFL – B7½(Carlson 2), P5(Ezra FastHorse 2⅓, Brody Bulette 1⅓, Kyrin Doty ½, Seth Cunningham ½, Astin Brown ⅓). TKL/AST – B11t65a (Johnson 3t6a, Knopik 1t10a, Herd 4t2a, Thorness 2t5a, Andrew Wallen 1t6a), P16t29a (Griffen 4t4a, Graham 4t3a, Sherry 2t2a, FastHorse 1t4a, Bulette 2t1a, Cooper Kisler 2t, Doty 4a, Brown 4a, Oberwegner 3a, Shoemake 1t, Cody Haggard 1a, Aiden Gfroerer 1a, Seth Cunningham 1a, Garret Wilmar 1a). SCORING – Bigfork (55): Eli Thorness 24(4TDrec), Tristen Herd 11(1TDrun, 5PATkick, 4TDpass, 1Cpass), Wyatt Johnson 6(1TDrun), Ollie Buzzell 6(1TDrun), Asher Knopik 6(1TDrun), Wyatt Barnes 2(1Crec); Polson (20): Landon Shoemake 8(1TDrun, 1Crun), Holden Emerson 6(1TDrun, 1TDpass), Tommy Sherry 6(1TDrec). (Fr25Aug23)

stat specs courtesy of KERR radio coverage. Some details may vary from official summaries.

variants – RUSH: B(MaxP:39-326y, KERR:37-315y), P(MaxP:32-83, KERR:34-89); PASS: B(MaxP:187y, KERR:193y); PASS: B(MaxP:187y, KERR:193y)- Thorness(MaxP:167y,  KERR:171y), Buzzell(MaxP:12y, KERR:17y), Johnson(MaxP:8y, KERR:5y); P(MaxP:212y, KERR:215y): Sherry(MaxP:127y, KERR:130y). INT: B(JH: Jayne, MaxP:Johnson).

sideline notes courtesy of John Heglie. O-stats courtesy of KERR, D-specs gleaned from MaxP postings.

Friday, September 1, 2023

Loggers topple Polson, but Pirates almost rally way back

by John Heglie

At Libby, the gridiron game between the visiting Pirates and the host Loggers could be broken down to a contrast between two halves for the visitors. Exacerbated by a stingy Logger defense during first half action, the half dozen Polson possessions might as well have been mired by a mud made of molasses. Sandwiched between turnover-on-down bookends were a pair of punts along with a tandem of detrimental drive debilitating picks. Real estate yardage gains on the ground could be counted on one hand, while the air attack yielded just slightly over a half century worth of yardage gained.

Libby would take full advantage of Pirate offensive struggles, forging a two score lead at the half, then doubling the lead during the ealy segment of the third quarter before the Polson offense found some spark.

Fortunately for any team that is trailing at intermission, a football game consists of two halves. In this instance, the Polson gridders would make the most of the subsequent quarters with over 200 yards of passing offense that contributed to multiple scoring drives.

Pirate signal-caller Holden Emerson would connect with Brenden Griffen in the endzone to scrub the goose egg off their half of the scoreboard. Libby would counter toward the end of the third period as Logger quarterback Tristan Andersen connected with Isaac Lamere for a second time to reclaim their four score advantage.

Thereafter, final frame action would more closely reflect the potency of the Pirate playbook as they would score thrice. Cody Haggard would block a Logger punt inside the 20 yard line, scoop it up, then score. About midway through the quarter, Emerson would connect once again with Griffen to carve further into the deficit after the missed extra point, 20-35 . Inside of three minutes, Emerson would then find receiver Tommy Sherry open for a 65 yard score. The two point conversion would be unsuccessful, but nevertheless whittled down the lead into single digit territory, 26-35.

Though the rally would fall somewhat short, the second half surge provided a better indicator of latent Pirate capabilities than their first half performance. Typically a tough venue to play, the Libby experience should provide stepping stones for forging building blocks as the team traverses deeper into the schedule.

Libby 35, Polson 26

Pirates (0-2), Loggers (2-0)

Polson  0   0   7 19 – 26

Libby    0  14 21  0 – 35

L – Jace DeShazer 2 run (Lamere kick)   

L – Ryan Beagle 30 pick-six IR (Lamere kick)

L – Connor Benson 1 run (Lamere kick)

L – Isaac Lamere 19 pass from Tristan Andersen (Lamere kick)

P – Brenden Griffen 26 pass from Holden Emerson (Lucian Sawyer kick)

L – Lamere 20 pass from Andersen (Lamere kick)   

P – Cody Haggard 17 punt block, scoop & score (Sawyer kick)

P – Griffin 13 pass from Emerson (kick unsuccessful)

P – Tommy Sherry 65 pass from Emerson (conversion fail)

RUSH – P18-7 (Landon Shoemake 5-5, Emerson 11-3, Kyrin Doty 2-(-1)), L48-111 (Andersen 30-86, Benson 10-28, DeShazer 7-5). PASS – P(Ho.Emerson 12-35-270-2), L(T.Andersen 9-23-107-1). RECEIVE – P21-270 (Griffen 7-91, Cason Graham 8-80, Sherry 2-73, Haggard 1-16, Shoemake 3-10), L9-107 (Lamere 5-78, Aidan Agre-Baun 2-24, Beagle 1-9, DeShazer 1-(-4)). INT – P1(Griffin), L2(Beagle, DeShazer). PD – P2(Landon Shoemake, Aiden Gfroerer), L4(Andersen 2, Benson, Brody Gilmore). HURS – P3(Austin Oberwegner 2, Astin Brown), L9(Goodman 3, Drake Wofford 3). BK – P(Haggard). FR – P1(Brown), L2(Aidan Agre-Baun, David Beck). FF – P(Doty), L(Joel Goodman). SK – L4(Goodman 1½). TLF – P8 (Brody Bulette 3, Oberwegner 2⅓, Brown 1⅓, Lincoln Burrough 1, Haggard ⅓), L5 (Goodman 1½). TKL/AST – P17t32a (Oberwegner 4t3a, Bulette 4t, Haggard 2t4a, Shoemake 3t1a, Griffen 1t5a, Brown 1t4a, Aiden Gfroerer 6a, Doty 1t3a, Graham 4a, Burrough 1t, Jerium Rushing 1a), L19t59a (DeShazer 5t11a, Benson 6t4a, Agre-Baun 3t8a). SCORING – P(26): Brenden Griffin 12(2TDrec), Tommy Sherry 6(1TDrec), Cody Haggard 6(1TDbk), Lucian Sawyer 2(2PATkick); L(35): Isaac Lamere 17(2TDrec, 5PATkick), Jace DeShazer 6(1TDrun), Connor Benson 6(1TDrun), Ryan Beagle 6(1TDir). (Fr01Sep23)

5to (2int, 3fmbl) costly turnovers derailed Pirate possessions: pair of 1stHalf int, trio of 2ndHalf fumbles

Stat specs = Offensive: courtesy of KERR radio coverage; Defensive: MaxP postings. Some details may vary from alternative sources.

Scoring sequence replicated in (Th07Sep23) issue of Lake County Leader

Friday, September 8, 2023

Pirates plank Maroons for convincing road win

by John Heglie

At Butte, the visiting Pirates were able to maintain continuity on offense as they sustained multiple drives while capitalizing upon host miscues to pick up their first win of the season. Holden Emerson bobbed and weaved his way through traffic as he rushed four times across the plane of the endzone. The table was set for the third Polson touchdown when Ezra Fasthorse recovered a Maroon bad snap inside the red zone. Two plays later, the Pirates were up by three scores.

Cason Graham would haul in the longest pass of the contest as he scampered over half the distance of the field for the third Pirate score of the second quarter.

Cody Haggard would corral a pass intended for a Maroon receiver just across midfield and scampered his way the remaining distance to the goal line for the Pirates final score of the contest. 

Polson 42, Butte Central 20

Pirates (1-2), Maroons (0-3)

Polson  7 21  0 14 – 42

ButteC  0   6  0 14 – 20

P – Holden Emerson 6 run (Lucien Sawyer kick)

P – Emerson 11 run (Sawyer kick)

P – Emerson 7 run (kick blocked)

BC – Jack Keeley 4 run (kick wide)

P – Cason Graham 55 pass from Emerson (Emerson run)

BC – Keeley 1 run (run stopped short)

P – Emerson 12 run (Sawyer kick)

P – Cody Haggard 41 pick-six IR (Sawyer kick)

BC – Keeley 3 run (Ryan Peoples pass from Keeley)

RUSH – P39-236 (Emerson 27-182, Uriah Ulutoa 10-48, Daniel O’Roarke 2-6); BC38-136 (Keeley 24-93, Justus McGee 14-43, tm 1-()). PASS – P(Emerson 5-17-154-2); BC(Keeley 24-35-199-1). REC – P5-154 (Cason Graham 3-89, Tommy Sherry 1-52, Ulutoa 1-15); BC24-199 (McGee 6-70, Zane Moodry 9-55, Peoples 5-42, Aiden Ossello 2-18, Colt Hassler 1-7, Kelten Keane 1-7). INT – P1(Cody Haggard), BC2 (McGee, Keeley). FR – P2(Astin Brown, Lincoln Burrough), BC2 (Bryce Keane, Canyon Kibler). FF – P(Brown). BK – P(Brown). SK – P5(Austin Oberwegner 2, Ezra Fasthorse 1½, Burrough 1, Haggard ½). TFL – P6(Oberwegner 2, Fasthorse 1½, Burrough, Brown, Haggard ½). TKL/AST – P23t62a (Brenden Griffen 6t8a, Brown 3t7a, Aiden Gfroerer 3t3a, Oberwegner 1t7a, Landon Shoemake 1t7a, Graham 1t7a, Fasthorse 3t2a, Haggard 2t4a, Ulutoa 2t3a, Burrough 5a, Kyrin Doty 4a, Bryce Allred 1t, Evan Veach 2a, D.O’Roake 1a, Seth Cunningham 1a, Brody Bulette 1a). SCORING – Polson (42): Holden Emerson 26(4TDrun, 1Crun, 1TDpass), Cason Graham 6(1TDrec), Cody Haggard 6(1TDir), Lucian Sawyer 4(4PATkick); ButteCentral (20): Jack Keeley 18(3TDrun, 1Cpass), Ryan Peoples 2(1Crec). (Fr08Sep23)

venue: Bob Green Field, MT Tech.

variants – FR(MaxP=1fr: P#55Burrough, no Brown deuce; ButteSports =3fr: P#53Fasthorse); P-TDrec(MaxP: P#9Graham, ButteSports: P#3Sherry), BCtd2run(Hudl: BC#24McGee, MaxP: BC#24McGee, ButteSports: BC#2Keeley), BCtd3conversion(MaxP=Crun: BC#24McGee, Hudl: BC#24McGee, ButteSports=Crec: BC#1Peoples); Prec (ButteSports=6-147y: Sherry 3-105, Cason Graham 2-27, Ulutoa 1-15; MaxP=5-154: Cason Graham 3-89, Sherry 1-52, Ulutoa 1-13); Prush(Buttesports=P40-207: Emerson 26-153, Uriah Ulutoa 9-47, Brock Henriksen 1-7, Daniel O’Roarke 2-2, tm 2-(-2); MaxP=P39-236: Emerson 27-182, Uriah Ulutoa 10-48, Daniel O’Roarke 2-6, no Brock). BK(MaxP: Brown, ButteSports: Doty).

Friday, September 15, 2023

Friday, September 22, 2023

Columbia Falls 42, Polson 0

Pirates (2-3), Wildcats (3-2)

Polson    0   0   0   0 –   0

C-Falls  14 14 14   0 – 42

CF – Jace Hill 17 pass from Cody Schweikert (Kai Golan kick)

CF – Alihn Andersen 21 run (Golan kick)

CF – Hill 21 pass from Schweikert (Golan kick)

CF – Schweikert 5 run (Golan kick)

CF – Lane Hoerner 8 pass from Schweikert (Golan kick)

CF – Schweikert 10 run (Golan kick)

RUSH – P37-67 (Uriah Ulutoa 15-37, Ho.Emerson 21-26, Henriksen 1-4), CF18-105 (Andersen 8-60, Schweikert 7-36)

PASS – P(Ho.Emerson 5-15-56-4), CF(Schweikert 17-22-235).

RECEIVE – P5-56 (Cody Haggard 2-40, Brock Henriksen 2-12, Ulutoa 1-4), CF17-232 (Hill 8-121, Hoerner 3-58).

INT – P0, CF4 (Mark Robison 2, Andersen, Hill). PD – P(Landon Shoemake). FR – P2(Haggard, Cason Graham). FF – P2(Haggard, Tommy Sherry). SK – P1(Austin Oberwegner). HURS – P1(Ezra Fasthorse). TFL – P6½ (Oberwegner 1⅚, Astin Brown 1½, Fasthorse 1, Shoemake 1, Haggard ½, Lincoln Burrough ⅓, noID ⅓). TKL/AST – P22t25a (Brenden Griffin 4t2a, Shoemake 4t1a, Brown 2t5a, Uriah Ulutoa 2t1a, Graham 2t1a, Kyrin Doty 2t1a, Sherry 2t, Haggard 1t2a, Aiden Gfroerer 1t2a, Oberwegner 1t2a, Jerium Rushing 1t1a, Burrough 3a, Fasthorse 2a, Lathan PrettyWeasel 2a). (Fr22Sep23)

(Fr22Sep23)

Offensive stat specs courtesy of KERR radio coverage. Some details may vary from team official summaries.

Friday, September 29, 2023

Pirates swat Yellowjackets to square record

by John Heglie

At Stevensville, the visiting Pirates jumped out to a two scoring drive lead after the first frame on a pair of Uriah Ulutoa touchdown plunges. Thereafter, Polson countered their hosts to offset a pair of subsequent Bitterroot Jacket scoring drives with a Tommy Sherry catch for six and Ulutoa’s third dash across the plane of the goal line. Lucian Sawyer kicked a pair of field goals and a trio of extra points as the Pirates squared their record at 3-3. The contest featured the first Ulutoa rushing effort of the season to exceed the century mark. Ezra Fasthorse and Austin Oberwegner snared a pair of fumble recoveries, while Brenden Griffin picked off a pass for an interception. Ulutoa, Fasthorse, Astin Brown and Griffin collaborated on 16 tackles and 19 tackle assists on defense.

Polson 33, Stevensville 12

Pirates (3-3), Yellowjackets (1-5)

Polson  14   3 10   6 – 33

Stevi       0   6   0   6 – 12

P – Uriah Ulutoa 2 run (Sawyer kick)

P – Ulutoa 12 run (Sawyer kick)

S – Gunnar Larson 56 run (kick failed)

P – Lucian Sawyer 35 field goal

P – Sawyer 31 field goal

P – Tommy Sherry 36 pass from Holden Emerson (Sawyer kick)

S – Kaeden Gum 6 run QB keeper (run short)

P – Ulutoa 10 run (kick missed)

RUSH – 32-189 (Ulutoa 12-132, Ho.Emerson 13-44, Henriksen 4-18, Kyrin Doty 2-1, Brayson DuMont 1-(-6)), S39-254 (Larson 21-166)

PASS – P(9-19-154 Ho.Emerson), S(K.Gum 9-25-68-1). RECEIVE – P10-159 (Cason Graham 2-54, Brock Henriksen 3-46, T.Sherry 2-40, Cody Haggard 2-13, Max Ramesar 1-6), S9-68 (Brogan Gard 5-37). INT – P(Brenden Griffin). PD – P4(Landon Shoemake, Cody Haggard, Ezra Fasthorse, Austin Oberwegner), S3(Gum 2, Larson). FR – P2(Fasthorse, Oberwegner), S2(Connor Lenahan, Taeshawn Luster). FF – S2(Joey Wheeler 2). SK –  P2(Ulutoa 1, Fasthorse ½, Griffin ½), S(William Chiaverini). HURS – P3(Doty, Brown, Oberwegner). TFL – P9 (Oberwegner 2, Fasthorse 1½, Griffin 1½, Brody Bulette 1½, Ulutoa 1, Lincoln Burrough 1, Brown ½), S7 (Luster 2). TKL/AST – P26t45a (Ulutoa 6t6a, Ezra Fasthorse 4t4a, Astin Brown 3t5a, Griffin 3t4a, Austin Oberwegner 1t6a, Landon Shoemake 2t3a, Cody Haggard 1t4a, Graham 5a, T.Sherry 2t, Bulette 1t2a, Aiden Gfroerer 3a, Seth Cunningham 1t, Nate Dotson 1t, Burrough 1t, Kyrin Doty 1a, Jack Sherry 1a, Jerium Rushing 1a), S33t20a (Larson 4t3a, Luster 5t, Zach Sannar 4t2a, Chiaverine 3t4a). SCORING –  Polson(33): Uriah Ulutoa 18(3TDrun), Lucian Sawyer 9(2FG, 3PATkick), Tommy Sherry 6(1TDrec); Stevi(12): Gunnar Larson 6(1TDrun), Kaeden Gum 6(1TDrun). (Fr29Sep23)

variants – Ulutoa(KERR: 108rush, 39rec; MaxP:132rush, 0rec)

Friday, October 13, 2023

Pirate nip Bulldogs in key conference clash

by John Heglie

At the Polson Sports Complex, the visiting Bulldogs of Whitefish and the host Pirates grappled on the gridiron in a key contest whose outcome would either preserve or quash chances for a postseason berth for the victor. Those implications were reflected by the intensity exhibited by both sides on the field.

    Polson scored first, but Whitefish soon countered, both plunges coming on short yardage quarterback sneaks. The missed extra point would leave the Bulldogs trailing 6-7. But on the ensuing kickoff, increase in levels of humidity would grease the palms of the receiver, resulting in a fielding miscue that would be recovered by Whitefish at the 15-yard line. Dane Hunt would reel in the ensuing Carson Gulick pass. After the extra point, the visitors overtook the lead 13-7.

    The following Pirate drive would stall, forcing them to punt away. But Brenden Griffin would snare his second interception of his hat trick of picks on the evening. The second of a trio of receptions of 30-yards or better by Brock Henriksen, a Uriah Ulutoa dash and a Holden Emerson scramble would place the Pirates inside the five-yard line. Emerson would finish off the drive with a short yardage plunge to retake the lead before the half, 14-13.

    Griffin would pluck his third interception early in the second half to culminate his hat trick of picks, but the Pirates were unable to capitalize. Polson defense forced a fourth down situation upon Whitefish, but a facemask penalty breathed new life into the drive. Mason Kelch would reel in the reception shortly thereafter to flip the lead back in his team’s favor 19-14 as the third period came to a close.

    Early in the final frame, Henriksen would catch his longest reception of the contest, a 44-yarder that  would set the table for the Pirates following score that would retake the lead 20-19. The conversion run attempt to expand the margin to three would be unsuccessful.

    With the Bulldogs in possession of the ball, the Pirate defense would stiffen, pushing their drive backwards. The ensuing snap to the punter would suffer a trajectory malfunction when the ball careened beyond its intended target in a detrimental direction. Kicker Ryder Barinowski would attempt to salvage the situation with a less than optimal punt attempt to get the ball away, but the situation would deteriorate further due to the convergence of a horde of Pirates. Ezra Fasthorse would block the punt attempt, followed by Henriksen recovering the unattended pigskin. With the ball recovered a short distance from the goal line, Emerson would cap the defensive turn of events with his third quarterback keeper of the contest, 26-19. A two-point conversion pass would fall incomplete. Had the conversion been successfully snared, the lead would have expanded to nine, necessitating the visitors to score twice.

    Trailing by seven, the Bulldogs would counter with an impressive drive that tied the contest at 26-all, kept alive by a Carson Krack key reception of a fourth-and-long situation.

    The Pirates embarked upon what was intended to be a game winning drive. Cason Graham would catch an Emerson pass of 29-yards to put the ball on the 32-yard line. But on a following play, the pass would be intercepted by Dane Hunt, who advanced the ball to their 40-yard line. But a pair of incomplete passes would be followed by an intentional grounding infraction, resulting in loss of down that would force the visitors to punt the ball away.

    With 20.3 seconds remaining on the clock, the Pirates Tommy Sherry would catch a long reception from Emerson, getting out of bounds to preserve two-tenths of a second on the clock remaining in regulation. Pirate kicker Lucian Sawyer would attempt what would have been a new school record field goal from the 33-yard line. The kick was on frame, but its velocity would dissipate just short of the uprights.

    In overtime, the Pirates won the toss, but elected to defend first. With the ball placed on the 10-yard line, a pair of Bulldog quarterback keepers moved the ball half way to the goal. The ensuing pass attempt to Jesse Burrough in the corner of the endzone would be tipped away by Graham. On fourth-and-goal, Ryder Barinowski would attempt to kick a go-ahead field goal. But a pair of Pirates intervened, with Brody Bulette gaining penetration to alter its trajectory, while Graham applied the finishing touch with a go-go-gadget arm block to erase whatever chance remained of the attempt acquiring its target.

    With the Pirates taking over, the Bulldog defense was just as stingy about surrendering yardage as Polson could only inch half the distance after three rushes. Fourth-and-goal set the stage for kicker Lucian Sawyer to take another crack at a game winning field goal, only this time the opportunity would fall well within his range. The kick would split the uprights, keeping Pirate possibilities for a playoff berth alive.

    Polson will host Hamilton for the regular schedule finale.

Polson 29, Whitefish 26

Whitefish  13   0   6   7   0 – 26

Polson         7   7   0 12   3 – 29

Pirates (2-3, 4-3), Bulldogs (2-2, 3-5)

P – Holden Emerson 3 run QB-keeper (Sawyer kick) 7 0  

W – Carson Gulick 1 run (kick wide) 7 6  

W – Dane Hunt 15 pass from Gulick (Ryder Barinowski kick) 7 13      

P – Holden Emerson 3 run (Sawyer kick) 14 13   

W – Mason Kelch 12 pass from Gulick (pass incomplete)

P – Uriah Ulutoa 11 run (run stopped short) 20 19  

P – Holden Emerson 1 run (pass incomplete) 26 19  

W – Gulick 1 run (Barinowski kick) 26 26   

P – Lucian Sawyer 22 FG

RUSH – W29-87 (Gulick 19-47, Cole Moses 7-27, Hunt 1-9, Brady Howke 1-9, Riley Zetooney 1-(-5)), P39-147 (Ho.Emerson 21-51, Ulutoa 15-93, Henriksen 3-3). PASS – W(Gulick 21-35-189-3), P(Ho.Emerson 9-20-204-1). RECEIVE – W21-189 (Kelch 4-60, Carson Krack 3-40, Hunt 5-35, Jesse Burrough 4-29), P9-198 (Brock Henriksen 4-117, Tommy Sherry 2-41, Cason Graham 2-38,Cody Haggard 1-8). INT – W1(Hunt), P3(Brenden Griffin 3). PD – P3(Haggard, Graham, Henriksen). FF – P(Sherry). FR – P(Henriksen), W(Henry Bennetts). BK – P2(punt:Ezra Fasthorse, FG:Brody Bulette1, Graham2). SK – P1(Haggard ½, Henriksen ½). HURS ½ P5(Henriksen 3, Ulutoa 2). TFL – P7½(Fasthorse 2, Henriksen 2, Sherry 1, Austin Oberwegner 1, Astin Brown ½, Graham ½, Haggard ½). TKL/AST – P23t37a (Ulutoa 4t3a, Sherry 4t2a, Graham 2t5a, Henriksen 2t5a, Oberwegner 1t6a, Griffin 2t3a, Aiden Gfroerer 2t3a, Haggard 1t5a, Landon Shoemake 3t, Fasthorse 1t3a, Kyrin Doty 1t, Brown 1a, Bulette 1a). SCORING – Whitefish(26): Carson Gulick 12(2TDrun), Dane Hunt 6(1TDrec), Mason Kelch 6(1TDrec), Ryder Barinowski 2(2PATkick); Polson(29): Holden Emerson 18(3TDrun), Uriah Ulutoa 6(1TDrun), Lucian Sawyer 5(1FG, 2PATkick). (Th12Oct23)

Stat specs courtesy of KERR radio coverage. Some details may vary from official summaries after film review

variants – earlyMaxP post: P#14Veach should read #4Henriksen

Friday, October 20, 2023

Bitterroot Broncs bump Bucs from berth into playoffs

by John Heglie

At the Polson Sports Complex for the regular season finale on Senior Night, the host Pirates tangled with the top-five ranked Broncs of Hamilton with a berth to the playoffs hinging on the outcome. Win and Polson would extend their season. The Bigfork Viking gridders were watching intently from the sideline awaiting the outcome as a visitor victory would tilt in their favor to extend their season, quashing that of the purple and gold host team.

The aim of the Pirates - corral and contain the vaunted Bronc attack. In their favor would be a roster slightly depleted by some injuries that included a dislocation incurred by starting quarterback. But like the adage about the “best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry,” things deviated from their intended trajectory when the visitors marched the opening drive the distance of the field. Polson was able to move the ball on their first drive which included a 24-yard reception to Tommy Sherry, but the drive stalled out.

Hamilton executed a proverbial hook-and-ladder play when the initial receiver lateraled the ball to his teammate, who would then rumble three-quarters of the length of the field for a touchdown. Thus would end the first frame with the Pirates trailing by unlucky 13.

After the Broncs scored on a quarterback keeper in the second quarter, the Pirates were finally able to gain some traction with their offense. Holden Emerson would find Cody Haggard for a 40-plus reception into the red zone from just across midfield. Brenden Griffin got an initial call to carry, while extending to stretch the tip of the ball that would hit the pilon. But his effort was ruled down further back on account of his leg having touched out of bounds before the stretch. That left Brock Henriksen to finish off the run. Henriksen would successfully run in the ensuing two-point conversion, but it would be called back on a holding infraction. Pushed further back, the Pirates opted to kick the extra point, but a trajectory malfunction on the snap would negate the attempt. Nevertheless, the Pirates were on the board.

Hamilton would respond to the late first half Pirate scoring drive for paydirt with a passing play to Clayton Beall in the northwest corner of the endzone to reacquire the previous teen margin, then tacked on two more with a quarterback keeper, 27-6 at that juncture.

On the ensuing Pirate drive, a pass interference call on what likely might have been a scoring pass reception to Cason Graham moved the ball from Pirate territory across midfield to make in incursion into Bronc real estate. Emerson would then finish off the drive with a dime to Henriksen, who would take the ball the rest of the way. After the extra point by Lucian Sawyer, the Pirates only trailed by two scores 27-13.

Early in the final frame, the Pirates embarked upon a promising drive to narrow the deficit to a single score. But Hamilton would pick off a pass intended elsewhere. They would cap the reversal of fortune by tacking on another six.

A subsequent drive with point producing potential succeeded in moving the ball midway into Hamilton territory. But the visitors would take over on downs when the drive stalled. Had the Pirate receiver been able to reel in the pass, the catch might have resulted in another scoring drive. The Pirate defense would stiffen, holding Hamilton in the waning minutes and forcing them to punt.

The Pirates then embarked upon the final series of the contest. Back-to-back penalties on Hamilton would advance the ball deep into Bronc territory after a facemask infraction and an illegal helmet-to-helmet tackle. A string of three short receptions had the Pirates knocking on the door. But the following pass into the endzone would be picked off to put a punctuation mark on the scoring.

Strategic segues during the course of the contest that played in Hamilton’s favor incluced a pair of detrimental interceptions and a total of ten sacks by their defensive linemen when they weren’t forcing Emerson to scramble for his life. When a passer is preoccupied with trying to avoid a convergence of big bodies seeking to make you an ingredient for the middle of their sandwich, it is difficult to scan the field to find an open receiver.

Had the Pirates been able to capitalize upon a pair of drives with scoring potential, these might have changed the complexion of the contest. Erase the first interception would negate the subsequent Hamilton final score, scaling their 33 back to 27. If the the Pirates had been able to sustain the drive to its conclusion, that would have narrowed the deficit to a single score 27-20. Capitalize upon one of the pair of late Pirate drives by putting the ball in the endzone could have potentially resulted in a contest that hung in the balance or  trickled into overtime to decide the outcome.  But like many  aspiring to sit astride a saddle, if wishes were horses, we’d all be riders, as the saying goes.

The Pirates bid farewell to ten senior gridders: #2 Uriah Ulutoa, #3 Tommy Sherry, #4 Brock Henriksen, #5 Logan Smith, #16 Brenden Griffin, #20 Aiden Gfroerer, #53 Ezra Fasthorse, #55 Lincoln Burrough, #65 Austin Oberwegner and #75 Seth Cunningham.

Senior Night

Hamilton 33, Polson 13

Pirates (4-4), Broncs (6-2)

Hamilton  13   6   8   6 – 33  

Polson        0   6   7   0 – 13

H – Clayton Beall 4 run (Gabe Judy kick)

H – Hunter Stewart 76 lateral from Jaxon Spencer pass by Lant (kick wide)

H – Lucas Lant 10 run (kick wide)

P – Brock Henriksen 1 run (kick snap miscue)

H – Beall 7 pass from Lant (Lant run)

P – Henriksen 42 pass from Holden Emerson (Lucian Sawyer kick)

H – Lant 4 run (kick wide)

RUSH – H39-125 (Lant 18-71, Beall 20-57), P28-41 (Ho.Emerson 28-41, Henriksen 3-7, Brenden Griffin 1-4, Sherry 1-1, Uriah Ulutoa 2-(-4)). PASS – H(Lant 6-15-152), P(Ho.Emerson 13-32-179-2). RECEIVE – H 6-152 (Stewart 1-76, Tommy Bender 1-37), P13-179 (Cody Haggard 3-64, Henriksen 5-57, Tommy Sherry 3-37, Cason Graham 2-12). INT – H2 (Bender, Ben Alexander). PD – H6(Bender 2, Alexander 2), P3 (Austin Oberwegner, Henriksen, Ulutoa). SK – H10(Giuseppe Eldridge 5), P(Ezra Fasthorse). HURS – P8(Henriksen 4, Oberwegner 4). TFL – H5½(Lant 2), P8½ (Henriksen 3, Fasthorse 2½, Graham 2, Oberwegner ½, Jerium Rushing ½). TKL/AST – H54t31a (Lant 11t2a, Andrew Burrows 5t6a, Eldridge 6t3a, Bender 6t1a, Carter Morgan 4t5a, Alexander 6t), P26t25a (Henriksen 5t4a, Fasthorse 4t4a, Graham 4t3a, Oberwegner 3t2a, Griffin 3t2a, Haggard 2t3a, Ulutoa 2t1a, Landon Shoemake 1t1a, Rushing 1t1a, Jack Sherry 1t, Astin Brown 2a, Aiden Gfroerer 2a). (Fr20Oct23)

Stat specs courtesy of KERR radio coverage. Some details may vary from team summaries.

(2022) dnp, (2021) dnp, (Fr23Oct20)snowbowl Ham49-14Pol, (Fr25Oct19) Ham57-18Pol, (Fr14Sep18) Ham48-12Pol, (Fr15Sep17) Ham48-6Pol, (Fr02Sep16) Pol24-10Ham, (Fr04Sep15) Ham27-12Pol, (2014)dnp, (Sa02Nov13) Ham24-21Pol, (2021)dnp, (Fr09Sep11) Pol41-0Ham, (Fr10Sep10) Pol14-3Ham, (Fr11Sep09) Pol35-6Ham

Saturday, November 4, 2023

Saturday, November 11, 2023

Saturday, November 18, 2023