Ronan faces off with Browning to try secure a playoff spot
RONAN QUARTERBACK Eric Dolence scrambles to try to get a first down in Oct. 6 regular season matchup with Columbia Falls. Dolence has been one of the key pieces that has allowed the Chiefs to stay in the playoff picture. The sophomore became the starter after his brother Brendon Blood was injured in the season-opener with Butte Central at Ronan High School. Dolence has been the starting quarterback since the injury. (Photo by Jeremy Weber/Lake County Leader)
RONAN RUNNING Back Ezekiel Misa celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the Polson-Ronan rivalry during the Sept. 22 matchup with Polson High School. Ronan won that contest 32-19 and it was one of their crucial victories that enabled them to position themselves for a potential wild-card spot in the Class A MHSA state football playoffs. If Ronan defeats Browning in their regular-season finale they will qualify for the playoffs. (Photo by Jason Blasco/Lake County Leader)
Towards the end of the last season, the Ronan Chiefs sat in the locker room after defeating Mission High School 63-0 listening to the Anaconda, Deer Lodge game on the radio hoping to get into the MHSA Class B state football playoffs.
Though it was a close call, the Chiefs extended their season and won the first round with a 43-29 victory over Columbus in last year’s first round in Columbus. Ronan hadn’t hosted a home playoff game in 24 years and last year hosted its first-ever playoff home game of this century against WhiteHall.
This season the Chiefs are in a similar situation with one major difference: they control their own destiny. As Ronan prepares to head into its season-finale game against Browning, their now Class A playoff scenario is simplified: win and they are in, lose and their season is over.
Ronan created this opportunity to qualify for the playoffs after defeating Libby 12-8 Friday night at Libby High School.
The Chiefs will be looking to put another complete game together in order to qualify for the playoffs. According to Detwiler, they are still looking to field a team at full strength as they head either towards the end of the year or embark on trying to make another playoff run.
“Polson is the game and the entire game that we’ve played with all of our players,” Detwiler said. “We’ve either had players sick or hurt and because of that, we haven’t really gotten a gauge of how good we are and we have not had much of a chance to put a complete game together.”
Detwiler, whose team is not favored to win against Browning, likes playing the underdog role and likes being in control of whether they extend their season.
“We control our own destiny and we are either going to go out there and take care of business or we will be coming home and cleaning out a locker room,” Detwiler said.
When watching film of the Polson-Browning game, Detwiler noticed the Pirates had their opportunities to win the game against the Indians.
“It was a close game and I’ve watched that game a couple of times,” Detwiler said. “Polson had multiple opportunities. It was 19-22 and they had a couple of drives that ended up interceptions. When you kind of look at the score, it was a close game and very competitive. They just missed their opportunities.”
Detwiler has acknowledged that his team’s game against Browning is going to be “tough” to win.
One of the Chiefs’ major challenges will be to contain destructive defensive lineman Brandon Aimsback.
“It’s going to be a tough game and we just can’t have a quarter that we let get away from us,” Detwiler said. “Aimsback is an absolute beast. He’s a force on either side of the ball and containing him will be the key on offense because he makes things happen. They played hard as a team. I watched them at Hamilton and even though the game was 33-6, it looked like it was 0-0 and kids were flying around and having fun.”
One area that Ronan has improved significantly is their quarterback play, Detwiller said. In the season-opener against Butte Central, Ronan lost its starting quarterback Brendon Blood but sophomore Eric Dolence has elevated his level of play in Blood’s absence, Detwiler said.
“He’s come so far since week one and he’s not even the same kid,” Detwiler said. “He’s a great kid and learns more on how to be a leader each week. It’s been fun to watch. He’s a big part of our offense and it’s just whoever we have back there at receiver usually steps up and helps out the team.”
Detwiler said he embraces the ‘underdog’ role as his team is entering the game.
“I feel that we are underdogs going into this game and when you aren’t supposed to win, what do you have to lose?,” Detwiler said.
Detwiler also feels like the two teams are mirror images of each other.
“That is exactly what this is because they’ve had some really good games and some games that have gotten away from them,” Detwiler said. “We’ve had some good games get away from us and it’ll be interesting come Friday night.”
Regardless of the result Detwiler said he was pleased with his team being in control of its own destiny.