Pirates cut down by Loggers

Zach Urness

Leader Staff

If Polson head coach Scott Wilson never hears the metallic buzz of a chainsaw ever again, he probably won't be too disappointed.

The Libby Loggers, whose fans brought along a chainsaw that buzzed for every touchdown, ripped through the Pirate defense for 375 total yards en route to a 41-7 win on a crisp Friday night, dropping Polson to 2-2 on the season and 0-1 in the conference.

"I just told the kids to forget about this one," said head coach Scott Wilson. "We just have to rebound and get ready for the next game — take them one at a time. I think if we're able to do that we'll do fine and we can see where we're at in the end."

The matchup between the two teams many figured to battle for supremacy in the Northwest A stayed close through the first half, but Libby's Zach Rowan sparked the Loggers with a 90-yard kickoff return to start the second half. Libby went on to score 26 unanswered points to coast to an easy victory.

"It's just one of those things," said Wilson. "I really thought we played well in the first half. But football is a game where momentum is so important that when we gave up those two touchdowns (in the second half) it went from a close game to a three-touchdown game. Those kinds of things just can't happen when you're playing against a good team like Libby."

The Pirates didn't do themselves any favors, turning the ball over five times in the game.

Despite the loss, the Pirates could warm themselves in the good news on starting quarterback Craig Bagnell, who looked as through he might be seriously injured after a big hit put him in a neck brace and sent him to the hospital.

"He'll be fine," said Wilson. "He's a little stiff right now, but we're hoping that he will start this week. It ended up being kind of an extreme stinger, one of those hits that hurts like heck and is sore — but all the x-rays were negative."

Bagnell injured himself on a scramble to the right side and, after gaining roughly 10 yards, he dived headfirst into two onrushing Libby defenders along the Polson sideline.

The Pirates got off to a good start in the first quarter, holding Libby's high-powered offense in check when the Loggers inexplicably went for it on a fourth-and-one play at their own 34 yard line. Libby fumbled the snap, giving Polson excellent field position for their second offensive drive.

The Pirates promptly took advantage of the questionable Logger decision, as Bagnell connected with Cody Doyle for a 20-yard strike. After a Logger facemask was called on an ensuing play, Tim Rausch finished off the drive with a one-yard touchdown run, putting Polson in front 7-0 after the PAT.

It would be the Pirates only score of the night.

Libby came back quickly on offense and drove the length of the field capped by a one-yard run by Jeremy Chumley, who would finish the game with four touchdowns and 108 yards rushing.

The Loggers took a 15-7 lead into halftime, but did the real damage in the third quarter. After Rowan's kickoff return for a touchdown, Logger quarterback Joel Fuller connected with receiver Loren Nelson on a 62-yard passing play, opening up a 28-7 lead that the Pirates were unable to make a dent in.

"They were just a lot quicker than us on both sides of the ball," said Wilson. "Rowan is one of the quickest in the conference and we struggled to keep Fuller (Libby's quarterback) contained."

Cody Doyle led the way on offense with nine rushers for 57 yards and three receptions for 55 yards. Bagnell was 12 of 21 passing for 90 yards and was picked off twice.

Ryan Kelley led the receivers with six catches for 27 yards and Tim Rausch had nine carries for 27 yards and one touchdown. Chris Alfiero added two catches and John Rausch had one catch to go along with one interception on defense.

The Pirates will look to get back on the winning track next Friday against Bigfork at home, for homecoming. Bigfork has struggled over the past few years, going winless last year.