Libby loses lightning-shortened game

In a game plagued by lightning delays, Frenchtown escaped the Kootenai Valley Friday night with a 13-7 nonconference victory over Libby.

The two teams battled with strong defense taking center stage through three quarters. Frenchtown led 7-0 at halftime and maintained that advantage into the fourth quarter.

Early in the fourth, Libby finally found paydirt to knot the score. Kody Berget gave the Loggers good field position with a 30-yard punt return. Two plays later, Tyler Troy caught a 30-yard TD pass from Kelly May. Alex Cislo's point-after kick tied the game with 10:13 remaining.

But on the ensuing possession for the Broncs, officials noticed lightning strikes in the area. A 30-minute delay was called and the two teams left the field.

When the game resumed, Frenchtown quickly scored. Brad Nordahl scored on a 52-yard touchdown run with 7:18 left on the clock. The TD would prove to be the difference.

On what would turn out to be Libby's final drive, Berget returned the kickoff 21 yards to the Logger 33. On third-and-9, May completed a 10-yard pass to Corey Chapman to move the chains. And that's when the second lightning delay was called.

Again, the two teams cleared the field and returned after 30 minutes. During warmups, more lightning was seen and a third delay was called. At that time, the coaches met on the field along with LHS activities director Jim Germany. A few minutes later, the game was called off in a decision judged to be in the best interest of the student-athletes. Frenchtown was declared the winner, 13-7, with 6:15 showing on the scoreboard.

Afterward, LHS coach Neil Fuller said it was the first time in his coaching career that he had experienced lightning delays and an incomplete game.

For a complete story on the game, including quotes and stats, see the Sept. 8 edition of The Western News.