Polson pulls out late win over Stevi

The Polson Pirates pulled out a win in the last few minutes of the game last Friday night to get the 14-7 victory over Stevensville after the Yellowjackets were able to contain the Pirate offense for much of the second and third quarters.

Polson's win came on a pass from QB Craig Bagnell to Ted Morigeau with a few minutes left in the game, followed by a two-point conversion by Bryce Picard to put the team up by seven.

Morigeau was open on a blitz play, and Bagnell connected with about a 30-yard pass before Morigeau turned upfield for the touchdown.

"He was open and there was nobody that was going to catch him," said head coach Scott Wilson. "We picked up on their blitz and Ted was wide open."

The Pirates got on the board in the first drive of the game, on a short run by Pat Dellwo, but the PAT was blocked, giving the Pirates a 6-0 lead. Both teams' defense held each other in check, though, and Wilson said the Pirate running game wasn't as productive as it was the first game against Hamilton.

"They took us out of our running game in the second and third quarter," he said.

But Bagnell stepped up, going 15-for-26 for 178 yards passing on the night, a big reversal from the game against the Broncs when the running game carried the offense. Bagnell's performance forced Stevi to defend against the passing game, which allowed the team to start moving the ball on the ground again, Wilson noted.

"As the game went on, the passing game got us out of trouble. It actually opened up our run game again," he said.

Wilson said he was really pleased with Bagnell's performance with his receivers, and that other teams will have to start defending against both the run and passing games.

"As the season progresses our passing will get better. I felt more confident about our passing game," Wilson said.

But he credited Stevi with holding the team in check for most of the game, and said the Pirates didn't always respond well to the pressure.

"We fumbled twice in their territory, and we had a touchdown called back on a holding call. They took the momentum for two quarters," Wilson said. "I knew they would be good going into it, and they came after us every game."

The Pirates will have to be running on all cylinders Friday when they travel to Libby to open conference play. The Loggers are also 2-0 to start the season, and have a returning quarterback that's one of the best in the league, as well as a good fullback. Wilson said they aren't shabby on defense, either, and have shut out both Frenchtown and Hamilton in the first two games.

"It's going to be a good battle," Wilson said.

The Pirates next home game will be Sept. 15 against Columbia Falls.