Polson pirates dismantle chiefs

For the Polson High football team, the waiting game now begins. Ronan, on the other hand, begins planning for next season.

The third-ranked Pirates handily dismantled rival Ronan 46-13 last Friday in Northwestern A play to complete a perfect regular season.

Polson, which went 5-0 in conference and is 9-0 overall, has a first-round playoff bye. The Pirates will host the winner of Saturday's Billings Central-Belgrade match-up the following weekend.

iHaving a bye can either work for you or against you,i Polson coach Scott Wilson said. iBut it probably works more for you. It will allow us to get a couple kids healthy and a chance to rest.i

Heading the list of Polson's slightly wounded is tailback Terry Lundeen, who separated his shoulder the previous week against Whitefish and didn't play against Ronan. Lundeen is expected to be fully recovered for Polson's first playoff game.

Billings Central and Belgrade, the Southwest's Nos. 2 and 3 ranked teams, have a common opponent with Polson in Butte Central.

During pre-conference action, the Pirates tripped up Butte Central 35-21. Billings Central tripped up Butte 21-7 and Belgrade lost to the same team.

iWe'll probably be playing Billings Central, but you never know,i Wilson said of Polson's likely initial playoff foe.

The Pirates rounded out the regular season in high style by racking up 46 first-half points and cruising to the win over Ronan. Polson fullback Kevin Owen scored five times in the opening half to instigate the assault.

The Pirates continually capitalized on great field position to punch in short scoring drives.

iThe big key last Friday is that we kept starting our drives on a short field,i Wilson said. iWe had some good returns and took advantage of some turnovers. On our first five drives we didn't start on our side of the field.i

Polson once again pounded the football on the ground. The Pirates racked up 280 yards on 48 carries to subdue the Chiefs.

Owen led the charge with 88 yards on 11 carries. The Polson fullback scored his team's first five TDs on an array of runs that ranged in distance from a one-yard plunge to 13 yards.

iI thought Polson represented its No. 3 ranking well,i Ronan coach Jamie Courville said. iTheir zone blocking was good on their counters and Owen ran the ball hard. Polson blocks extremely well. We just didn't match up physically.i

Ronan did experience a highlight in the opening quarter when freshman Joe McCarthy returned a kick 85 yards for a touchdown that cut Polson's lead to 14-7.

iJoe was able to bounce it outside and he's pretty elusive,i Courville said. iAnd our blockers were able to engage people.i

But the TD return gave Ronan hope for just a short time. The Pirates scored four times in the second quarter to turn the game into a rout.

It was a couple of big plays that boosted Polson's second-quarter explosion. David Morigeau scored on a 35-yard run and Colton Woods broke off a 75-yard scamper before the break.

Polson's defense was almost flawless on the night, limiting Ronan to about 150 yards. The Chiefs picked up just 61 yards rushing on 20 carries.

Ronan did notch its second scoring drive late in the game. Aaron Skogen capped the march with a five-yard touchdown run to give the Chiefs a moral boost.

Ronan concluded the season with a 1-4 conference record and 3-5 overall.

iWe showed some improvement this season,i Courville said. iBut we still have a long way to go. We're going to have to hit the weight room.i

Wilson said he plans to scour Saturday's playoff game between Billings Central and Belgrade. He believes the Pirates' undefeated showing in conference and throughout the regular season is a good reward for the team's hard work.

iIt was a nice feeling,i Wilson said. The kids have worked hard and anytime you go undefeated in conference it is a bonus.i

POLSON 46, RONAN 13

First quarter scoring

P-Owen 13 run (kick good)

P-Owen 1 run (kick good)

R-Joe McCarthy 85 kick return (kick good)

P-Owen 2 run (kick failed)

P-Owen 1 run (kick failed)

P-Owen 16 run (kick good)

P-Ted Morigeau 32 run (kick failed)

P-Colton Woods 75 run (kick good)

R-Aaron Skogen 5 run (kick failed)