Loggers top Wildcats, get set for homecoming

What looked like the start of a blowout, ended up being a nail biter in the second half of play, with the Libby Loggers defeating the Columbia Falls Wildcats 41 to 21 on Friday.

The Wildcat defense came out prepared to shut down Libby's vaunted passing attack led by Logger quarterback Joel Fuller. His two most reliable receivers, Zack Rowan and Loran Nelson were each held well below their season averages with one reception each. Rowan had one catch for 23 yards and Nelson had one catch for 4 yards. Fuller was able to keep the Loggers moving with five short hitch passes to Jeremy Chumley and one to Seth Wright.

The real Logger domination came when they went primarily to the ground game led by the Libby Logger locomotive Jeremy Chumley. Chumley kept pounding the ball at the Wildcats to the tune of 223 yards on 33 carries and three touchdowns. Many of Chumley's holes for rushing were led and created by his twin in the backfield, Logger fullback Josh Chumley. Fuller also proved to be elusive with his scrambling ability gaining 158 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns. Fuller also tallied 118 yards passing on 18 attempts.

The ground game proved to be most reliable on a cool, rainy night. Rain and cold tend to turn a game sloppy and away from most passing strategies. This was no exception.

Rowan again electrified the Logger fans with a first quarter punt return that covered 70 yards resulting in a touchdown. This gave the Loggers a 14-0 lead. The Wildcats quickly snuffed the Loggers' excitement as Scott Palmer returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards for a Columbia Falls touchdown to get their crowd back in it.

The Logger defense came up big by limiting Wildcats leading rusher Josh Wilson to 85 yards on 13 carries. He was mostly ineffective until he broke away late in the game for about 50 yards on one of his runs.

Much to Mr. "frieght train" Chumley's credit, he was quick to dish out adulations to his lineman.

"I have awesome linemen," Chumley said. "They were giving me at least 5 or 6 yards each time and I was able to break past the linebackers once I got past the line. Then it wasn't too hard after that. Our linemen just blew them off the ball."

Again, he showered the hogs battling in the trenches with much of the credit for his success; center Ryan Stapely, guards Justin Brickey, Justin Graham, and Brandon Mills, and tackles Matt Schad and Jordan Gragert. He also credits coach Neal Fuller for selecting and sticking with a successful game plan based upon what the Wildcats defense was showing.

The game became a little tenuous in the second half as Wilson's long run led to a Wildcat score and then they pressured Logger punter Rowan in the end zone resulting in a turnover that was intercepted by Columbia Falls for a quick touchdown caught in their endzone.

The Loggers regained their composure to score the final touchdown of the game for either team on a 5-yard scramble by Fuller followed by a 2-point conversion toss to Rowan.

The win wasn't always pretty, but a win is a win.

This week the Libby Loggers prepare for a homecoming contest against Whitefish at 7 p.m. on Friday.

Libby vs. Columbia Falls

Libby 21 6 7 8 — 42

C.F. 7 0 14 0 — 21

Scoring Summary

L — Jeremy Chumley 3 run (Rowan kick failed)

L — Zack Rowan 65 punt return

CF — Scott Palmer 75 kickoff return (Nolan kick)

L — Fuller 15 pass to Chumley (Rowan kick)

L — Fuller 1 run

CF — Nolan 14 run (Nolan kick)

L — Chumley 2 run (Fuller pass failed)

CF — Wassam 0 punt return (Nolan kick)

L — Fuller 2 run (Rowan pass from Fuller)

Team Stats

Libby

7 first downs

336 rushes-yards

123 passing

1-0 fumbles-lost

0-0 penalties-yards

Columbia Falls

2 first downs

73 rushes-yards

27 passing

0-0 fumbles-lost

0-0 penalties-yards