Undefeated Libby, Whitefish to clash on gridiron
By GWEN ALBERS Western News Reporter
Sharon Chumley has two reasons to support undefeated Libby when it battles undefeated Whitefish on Friday - twin football-playing sons, Jeremy and Josh.
"It's been really, really busy," Sharon Chumley said. "It's a really important game since they've won every game so far."
And in Whitefish, spirits are high for the 7 p.m. homecoming varsity football match.
"The school looks great and students assisted store owners with decorating their windows," said Whitefish High School Principal Kent Paulson. "We have green and gold sprinkled throughout the downtown."
No. 2-ranked Libby will attempt to stop third-ranked rival Whitefish, both 5-0 for the season and 3-0 in Northwestern A play. The winner will take over first place in the league.
Libby has allowed its opponents to score only 26 points in five games.
The Loggers are led by sophomore quarterback Joel Fuller, who passed for a season-high 315 yards during last week's 35-6 victory over Eureka. Fuller one week earlier during a 49-7 victory over Ronan completed seven passes for 256 yards and four touchdowns.
A tough offensive line has helped Fuller connect with Logger receivers. Senior Richard Brumbaugh during the Eureka game made seven catches for 128 yards and three touchdowns.
Libby defenders will have to stop the Bulldogs' senior twin brothers, Luke and Zach Fennelly. Luke last week rushed 33 times for 225 yards and four touchdowns. He has accumulated 742 yards for the season and scored nine touchdowns while averaging 7.1 yards per carry.
Zach Fennelly for the season has thrown for three touchdowns and run for four more.
Many Libby fans like Sharon Chumley will head to Whitefish early on Friday. She will leave at noon with her mother, Ruby Johnson; daughter, Brittany Chapel; and Josh's girlfriend, Hannah Sweet.
"We're going to have a ladies' day out and do a little shopping first," she said. "And then we'll be doing some yelling and screaming at the game. My boys were born to play football. We are planning on them going to college on football scholarships."
Both juniors, Jeremy Chumley is a running back for the Loggers while Josh Chumley is a nose guard, fullback and linebacker.
Deb and Steve Bertelsen of the Bertelsen Agency in Libby plan to close the office by 3 p.m. Friday.
Their son is senior Steve Bertelsen, an outside linebacker and tight end.
"I have a brother in Columbia Falls. He's not going to the Columbia Falls game. He's coming to Whitefish," Deb Bertelsen said. "People are really excited. This is 'the' game, the buzz. You walk in the grocery store (and the game is the talk.)"
The older Steve Bertelsen and Jay Graham, whose sons, Jake and Justin, play on the team, will wear twin camouflage Logger caps in hopes of bringing the team luck.
Judy Graham, mother of Jake and Justin, said she and other football mothers will take their spirit much further.
"It's kind of like going into battle," said Judy Graham, president of Libby Booster Club. "We have shiny, sparkling cowboy hats, flashing Logger buttons, blue and gold buttons, vests and mittens. And we have these annoying horns."
For the Grahams, the Whitefish game has been the talk of the household all week.
"We're very confident at home, both me and my husband," Judy Graham said. "I have no doubt we will win."