Loggers fall 25-22 on late TD toss

A 40-yard touchdown pass with 1:02 remaining sunk the Libby Loggers (1-3) at home against Stevensville on Friday.

The Loggers were first on the board in the final minute of the first quarter when running back Zach Crace rumbled in from four yards out. The 25-yard scoring drive was set up when sophomore linebacker Brandon Sadewasser sacked and stripped Yellowjacket quarterback Bryce Torrey. Senior Logger lineman Michael Curtiss fell on the fumble and six plays later Libby was up 8-0.

Stevensville responded quickly. With little luck on the ground, Stevensville began airing it out late in the first quarter. The Yellowjackets opened the second quarter with a 52-yard touchdown pass when Torrey unleashed a laser into receiver Josh Barker’s chest. The pass split multiple Logger defenders and Barker appeared as surprised as anyone as he ran into the end zone. An extra point made it 8-7.

The Loggers committed heavily to the run game — Crace had 48 carries for 204 yards — but the Stevensville defense expected the run and stripped Logger quarterback Dom Voorhies on the next drive.

Following the turnover, Stevensville capitalized on a pass interference penalty and scored again when junior receiver John Diepstraten caught a 40-yard pass from Torrey. The Yellowjacket quarterback stood in and took a shot from Curtiss just as he threw the pass.

Turnovers took center stage during the next four drives as both teams turned over the ball twice. Libby’s Dylon Lane intercepted passes on consecutive defensive series, his second setting up the Logger offensive on the Stevensville 25-yard line.

The Loggers capitalized with five consecutive Crace carries, culminating in an eight-yard run into the end zone with 1:10 left in the first half. After a botched extra point, the Loggers went into halftime ahead, 14-13.

Stevensville opened the second half with a balanced eight-play, 62-yard drive. Sophomore running back Caleb Edens’ 10-yard run brought the Yellowjackets ahead, 19-14.

Libby did not score in the third quarter, but did begin what will likely be their most time consuming scoring drive of the year. Beginning at their 15-yard line, the Loggers called 19 plays before Crace ran seven yards for the score. Every positive play on the drive was a run and the Yellowjacket defense looked exhausted when Crace scored through a hole wide enough for a Hummer. After a successful two-point conversion — another Crace carry — the Loggers lead 22-19 with 9:42 to go.

Three times the Libby defense protected the late lead. A roughing the punter call with 4:34 remaining gave Stevensville an extra offensive opportunity, but strong pass coverage by senior David Winter and a strong pass rush forced the Yellowjackets to punt again.

Libby stuck to the ground game, looking to force Stevensville to burn their timeouts. After a first down, the Loggers were on the brink of their second win of the season when Crace fumbled at his own 40-yard line. The Yellowjackets recovered with less than two minutes remaining.

After an inexplicable run play on first down, Torrey spun a 41-yard fade down the left sideline to Diepstraten. Libby’s Isaak Jones was well-positioned in defense, but the throw was out of his reach. With 1:02 remaining, Stevensville took its third lead of the game, 25-22.

With no time to spare, Libby had no choice but to air it out late. Despite earning a first down, the Loggers could not muster a late comeback.

“I was proud of how our kids competed,” Libby Coach Neil Fuller said. “Again, turnovers cost us the game. We are not good enough to overcome multiple turnovers.”

The game was a contrast of styles. Libby held Stevensville to 28 rushing yards, but allowed 225 passing yards on only seven completions. Libby ended with 277 rushing yards, but only 20 yards in the air.

“You don’t see many kids on the high school level that can make the throws their quarterback made,” Fuller said. “We had great coverage on the guy, but he threw it in the only place that could make it work.”

In their first season after the All-State career of quarterback Jared Winslow, the Loggers are in need of a new offensive identity. Fuller said he hopes to regain some offensive balance.

The Loggers travel Saturday to Browning for a 7 p.m. kickoff.