Maroons stop Pirates

BUTTE - Polson's season may have come to an end last Saturday

with a 49-14 loss to Butte Central, but falling to one of the

state's best teams couldn't damper the accomplishments the Pirates

achieved this season.

BUTTE - Polson's season may have come to an end last Saturday with a 49-14 loss to Butte Central, but falling to one of the state's best teams couldn't damper the accomplishments the Pirates achieved this season.

"They played well as a team on both sides of the ball," Polson head coach Scott Wilson said. "They never once gave up and fought to the end."

Polson finished the sea-son 7-3 and defeated the defending state champion, Frenchtown, twice in a season that did have some question marks going in.

"We knew we had a lot of spots to fill," Wilson said. "We were hoping to go to the playoffs.

"The young Pirates played in five games decided by less than two touchdowns, coming up victorious more often than not. It was those close wins that helped Pol-son gather momentum and make the playoffs.

Butte Central had just one loss on the season, a 17-16 loss to the No. 1 team in Class A, Billings Central. They used their size at the receiver position and passing game to overturn the Pirates.

"They just had us on our heels defensively," Wilson said. "It was just one of those days that everything they had called was work-ing."

The Maroons had 396 yards on offense, including 292 through the air. Quarterback Jon Richards went 16-for-20 with three touchdown passes. Butte Central jumped out to a 28-0 lead en route to the victory.

"They had three good-sized wide receivers that caught the ball well," Wilson said.

The Pirates' offense was anchored largely by junior quarterback Vince DiGiallonardo, who scored the team's first touchdown by finding senior wide receiver Kyle Bagnell on a eight-yard pass in the second quarter to make it 28-7. The Maroons scored two more touchdowns, one on a 38-yard touchdown pass and a interception return for a touchdown.

DiGiallonardo scored in the third quarter on a 10-yard run and made it 42-14. He finished the game with 56 yards rushing and 118 yards passing. He finished the regular season and post-season as the team's lead-ing rusher with 793 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also passed for 1,357 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The young Pirates grew up throughout the season and snapped a playoff losing streak dating back to 2003 with their 2OT win over Frenchtown two weeks ago. Next year, the Pirates will return starters at several positions including DiGiallonardo at quarterback.

"We won't be in the same situation [as this year]. We'll have more starters returning," Wilson said. "We're going to have to replace some good kids but it will be nice to have more experience. The younger kids saw what it took to be successful."

And just what has been the secret to Polson's success? It starts mentally with confidence, something Wilson has talked about all sea-son.

"Our kids believe," Wilson said. "They believe in all aspects. They give their all and they believe in what they're doing."