Football: Libby drops second straight on road
With 24 seniors and a seasoned lineup that is arguably the best in Class A, the Frenchtown football team outscored its first two opponents this season, 94-0. Playing in front of the home crowd on Friday night, the Broncs downed Libby, 52-0, in a nonconference meeting.
Loggers coach Neil Fuller knew his team would be in for a tough game. Although Frenchtown put up 52 points on the scoreboard, Fuller said the LHS defense actually played well.
“I was pleased overall with how our defense played. Our offense through turnovers gave them five touchdowns,” Fuller said. “They had no long, sustained drives on us and our defense shut them down.”
The Broncs erupted for 26 points in the first quarter. On the first play from scrimmage, Jonny Dilworth scored on an 8-yard TD run – the first of four end zone appearances for him on the evening.
Brennan Fisher scored on a 4-yard run and Dilworth had TD runs of 11 and 3 yards to help Frenchtown to the big lead in the first quarter. By halftime, the home team held a 40-0 advantage after a 23-yard interception return for a TD by Sean Amundson and a 1-yard TD run by John Ray.
“Our kids came out in the first half a little intimidated and had a few turnovers right off the bat,” Fuller said. “Down 40-0 at halftime, I know that’s a big challenge to come out and play in the second half. But our kids came out and our defense shut them down. We just need to do a better job of protecting the football.”
Injuries have impacted the lineup with at least three starters on the sidelines. Fullback/linebacker Josiah Coker injured his knee against Timberlake and is expected to miss at least another three weeks. Receiver Tate Wilson, who was hurt in preseason drills, may be back in a week. Lineman Cole Lauer suffered a bruised shoulder and could be out for a week.
Fuller said he expected linebacker Dean Willey back this week.
“Offensively, I thought our linemen did a pretty good job with pass protection as the game went on,” Fuller said about Frenchtown. “We were able to run the ball at times against them … we just need to develop some consistency at handling the football and we’ll be OK.”
In the second half, Frenchtown’s Dilworth scored his fourth TD on a 28-yard run and the Bronc defense came up big again with a 55-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Libby will make its home debut on Friday against Corvallis.
“A lot of our kids are just learning to compete,” Fuller said. “When you have a lot of green faces going up against two perennial playoff teams, that’s asking a lot from them. But it’s good from the standpoint that they’re as good as we’ll see all year.”