Rematch for Polson

Frenchtown awaits Pirates as opponent in first round of the

playoffs

LIBBY - While last Friday's 17-16 loss to Libby may have cost the Pirates a playoff home game, they'll be headed to a familiar place in the first round this Saturday. As the No. 3 seed, Polson will play on the road against the team they opened up the season with, Frenchtown.

The Pirates knocked off the defending state champions in the first game of the season, 21-16 and they'll try to do the same thing again this Saturday.

"The first time we played we were very successful passing the football," head coach Scott Wilson said. "We need to establish a more balanced attack."

Polson has shown that they can recover from losses. A week after losing to Columbia Falls, 25-20, they bounced back with a 47-12 victory over Whitefish.

Wilson said that it's important for his team to get off to a good start against Broncos.

"The kids know what they're capable of doing," he said.

Senior receiver Kyle Bagnell and junior quarterback Vince DiGiallonardo were on the same page in that opening game win over Frenchtown. Bagnell caught twelve passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns.

"If we can get a road win that will build confidence," he said.

Wilson said that against Libby, his team gave up a lot of yards on first down and that hurt them. The Pirates defense gave up 206 yards on the ground against the Loggers and 128 yards through the air.

"Second and short gives them an advantage," he said. "That's tough to recover from."

Polson led Libby 16-3 in the third quarter, but couldn't hold. Two touchdown passes - including one with just 1:11 left in the game, allowed the Loggers to come away with the victory and earn the Northwestern Conference No. 2 seed in the playoffs.