The road leads through Bigfork

If Mission wins tonight, they’re in the playoffs

PLAINS - Bring on Bigfork.

The Mission Bulldogs (5-2 ovr., 2-2 conf.) will play at home tonight in a must-win against the Vikings who have yet to lose a conference game this season. Since they clinched the conference championship, they might be cautious with their starters in an effort to not have them hurt for the playoffs. Against a team like the Bulldogs, who pride themselves on a physical run game and a punishing defense, Bigfork better step lightly.

"It's going to be a hard, hard fought game," Mission head coach Peter Hamilton said. "They're real big and they have a couple of speedy running backs."

The Bulldogs have a stable of running backs of their own that would make Churchill Downs jealous. Last week the horses of St. Ignatius ran for 541 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in a 59-22 victory over Plains-Hot Springs.

"It's the most we've had since I've been in Mission," Hamilton said. "I don't even remember playing against a team that gets that many yards."

Junior Austin Durglo led the way with 286 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries, the most Hamilton has seen. Senior Lane Wheeler had 15 carries for 161 yards and three touchdowns along with 83 yards from junior Scotty Gilleard.

Hamilton credited the offensive line with controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.

"Our offensive line has been doing it all year long," Hamilton said. "[The team] really came in confident to play."

The line was quick off the ball and the defense made a point of hitting the other team.

"They're a better team cause they play together," Hamilton said. "This year, we have kids that believe in their teammates."

If Mission wins tonight, they'll got to the playoffs for the first time since 2005.

They've already clinched the school's first winning record since 2001. It's particularly impressive considering that the team has just three seniors and five juniors playing.

"Our young kids have been playing like seasoned veterans," Hamilton said.

With Bigfork at 5-1 overall and 4-0 in the conference, Mission will need those young guys to continue to do that.

"It will come down to whoever hits better and tackles better wins," Hamilton said.