Yellowjackets sting Loggers, 33-25
The Libby Loggers (0-4) played their best game of the football season, but fell short, 33-25, on the road against the Stevensville Yellowjackets (2-1).
Down 33-13 at halftime, Coach Neil Fuller rallied his team to an energizing second-half effort.
“We felt we could come back with better second-half defense,” Fuller said.
The Loggers did just that, adjusting their pursuit angles to contain the speedy Stevensville spread offense.
Following an early third quarter, eight-yard touchdown run by Nic Robertson, the Loggers found themselves on the Stevensville one-yard line, only to fumble and watch the Stevensville safety return the ball into Libby territory.
A defensive stand reclaimed the ball for Libby. With 55 seconds remaining, Libby scored on another Robertson touchdown run, this one a one-yard plunge. The Loggers made the two-point conversion to bring the game within one score.
The Loggers possessed the ensuing onside kick to maintain hope, but were unable to move the ball and the clocked ticked out.
“The kids grew up a lot tonight,” Fuller said. “When the odds were against us they fought back. We are improving every week in anticipation of our conference schedule.”
Quarterback Jared Winslow led the Loggers through the air and the ground, throwing for 127 yards and rushing for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Robertson finished with 91 yards on 20 carries. D.J. Maefau caught six passes for 85 yards and Josh Bowers grabbed four balls for 42 yards.
Jared Schultz led Stevensville with 119 passing yards for one touchdown and one interception. Kyle Behner led with 62 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Zach Gavlak led the Yellowjackets with six receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown. Gavlak and Schultz each scored one rushing touchdown.
“For the second week in a row we had chances late,” Fuller said. “I thought the offensive line played very well tonight. Give credit to their quarterback, he is a tough athlete who can really scramble.”
Libby hosts Browning for homecoming at 7 p.m. Friday.