Bagnell has big night

POLSON - Polson (3-0) won their first game through the air and their second on the ground. For their third game, defense and some late-game heroics were instrumental in a 14-3 win over Hamilton last Friday night.

"We had some kids in the final four minutes make some big plays," Polson head coach Scott Wilson said.

After being held scoreless for three quarters, the Pirates were able to punch the ball in the endzone and take the 7-3 lead in the fourth thanks to a three-yard run by junior quarterback Vince DiGiallonardo with just over two minutes to go.

"He did good," Wilson said. "He scrambled and made some nice throws on the scramble."

Due to that scrambling, DiGiallonardo rushed for a season high 125 yards on 22 carries and led the Pirates in rushing for the third straight week. Wilson said he would like to see more of a pocket develop around DiGiallonardo so he wouldn't have to throw on the run.

"As an offense, we need to be able to establish the run more," Wilson said. "I'd like to be more balanced. We have the backs and the line. "

Things were peachy through the air as senior wide receiver Kyle Bagnell was a thorn in Hamilton's side all evening as he collected 13 catches for 178 yards. Bagnell currently leads the Northwestern A conference with 28 receptions for 423 yards.

"He has a knack for getting open," Wilson said.

Hamilton held Polson in check offensively for the most part and clamped down in the redzone.

"They did a really nice job of tightening up their defense," Wilson said. "They were real physical up front getting pressure on Vince."

Wilson said that kids started to get frustrated after not being able to get the ball in the endzone but they didn't get down on one another. Sophomore Will Davey sealed the game for the Pirates, intercepting the ball with time ticking down in the fourth on a desperation drive by Hamilton and running it back 62-yards for the score.

"They wanted to go to 88 but [senior defensive back Louis Mohr] had him covered and the last time he went there it was short so I jumped on it," Davey said. "After the catch it was definitely more of an amped up feeling."

The defense proved to be key for Polson once again, as they held Hamilton to just 63 rushing yards. Hamilton had 175 yards through the air and just a field goal in the second quarter. Wilson said he would like to clean up some things before the team heads to Anaconda next week and wants to cut down on the turnovers. Polson will play at 7 p.m. on Friday in Anaconda.

Reporter Ali Bronsdon contributed to this article.