Broncs trample Loggers at final home game

In their final home game of the season, the Libby Logger were bucked by the Hamilton Broncs 35-14 on Oct. 16.

Offensively, the Loggers showed improvement in their passing over last week’s matchup against Dillon. During the Oct. 9 home game, Libby struggled to move the ball successfully through the air. Against the Broncs, the Loggers moved fluidly between their run-heavy wishbone offensive scheme and relatively pass-heavy shotgun and I-formations.

While they were able to move the ball down the field, the Loggers nevertheless struggled to take it into the Bronc’s end zone throughout the night.

“We did a lot of good things offensively,” head coach Neil Fuller said. “When we get down close though, we got to score.”

Like the Loggers, the Broncs switched seamlessly between the ground and air throughout the game. Senior quarterback Tyson Rostad alternated between lobbing the ball to senior wide receiver Jaiden Klemundt and handing it off to running backs Ben Tack and Ben Rooney.

With both offensives in high gear, the matchup started as a shootout. The Broncs scored their first touchdown within the first 22 seconds of the game. Rostad moved the ball down the field at lightning pace for the score with two pass plays to Klemundt. The extra-point by kicker Austin Drake was good.

Logger quarterback Jay Beagle responded by moving the ball down the field with senior running back Dawson Young. At the Bronc’s 34 yard-line, Beagle completed an end zone pass to running back Ryder Davis. The extra-point by junior kicker Aydan Williamson was good, bringing the score to 7-7 with nine minutes and 54 seconds left in the first quarter.

On their next possession, the Broncs focused on their running game to get the touchdown. At the Logger’s 40 yard-line, Rostad handed off the ball to Tack who broke three Logger tackles and ran into the end zone. The extra-point kick was good.

The Loggers tied the score with eight minutes left in the half. Alternating between handing the ball off to Young and Davis, and passing it to tight end Dave Patterson, Beagle moved the ball to the Broncs’ 18 yard-line. Davis brought the ball into the end zone in the final run. Williamson secured the extra-point kick.

The Broncs pulled ahead with less than six minutes in the half. Moving at a quick tempo, Hamilton put stress on Libby’s defense to score the touchdown. Drake secured another field goal for the Broncs.

With two minutes and 53 seconds, the Broncs built on their lead with another touchdown. After a series of run plays, Klemundt carried the ball into the end zone. The following extra-point kick was good bringing the score to 28- 14 for Hamilton.

As rain dampened the field, the second half of the game turned into a defensive slog. The Broncs scored once in the third quarter.

With three minutes and 37 seconds, Beagle caught an interception in the Loggers’ end zone, but Libby was unable to capitalize on the turnover.

Following the game, Young said it was tough to leave the Logger home field for last time after facing off against Hamilton.

“It would have been better if we’d won,” he said.

The Loggers left the game with a 5-3 record. To make it into this year’s Class A state playoffs, Libby will need a victory over Frenchtown next week.

The Loggers will hit the road to play the Frenchtown Broncs on Oct. 23.