Broncos outgun Pirates in gridiron shootout
The Polson and Frenchtown football teams combined for over 100 points and just under 1,100 all-purpose yards in a Class A Western Division shootout Friday night at Frenchtown.
The contest was a distinct contrast of different styles: Pirates relying mostly on an air attack, throwing for over 440 yards, while the Broncos mostly pounded the ground, racking up more than 350 yards rushing.
Frenchtown running backs accounted for five touchdowns, throwing in a couple of touchdown receptions by Devin Shelton for good measure.
Meanwhile for Polson, quarterback Jarrett Wilson passed for five touchdowns to a trio of receivers as the main course, while a quarterback keeper for the team’s first tally functioned as the appetizer.
Polson arrested Frenchtown's opening drive when the Pirate defense recovered a fumble inside their 5-yard line, but reciprocated with a fumble of their own on the subsequent series, a turnover that led to a touchdown.
Another drive culminated with the first of four Tel Arthur red zone runs for a 14-0 lead.
Second-quarter scoring opened with alternating rushing touchdowns before Wilson connected on two TD passes and a pair of conversion runs gave the Pirates a brief 22-21 lead.
Frenchtown passed for a score just before the half to retake the lead at 28-22.
The Broncs opened the second half with another Devin Shelton pass reception for a score to extend the lead to 35-22.
Thereafter, a trio of Pirate touchdown receptions were offset by an alternating trio of Tel Arthur red zone rumbles. Polson's final TD reception in the final frame, the third by Colton Graham over the course of the contest, pulled the visitors within a field goal, 46-49. But that would be as close as the Pirates could close, Arthur adding an insurance tally.
It was Wilson’s third 400-yard passing game of the season, and he surpassed 2.000 yards. He connected more than three dozen times with his receivers, the most thus far this season.
Both Wilson and Graham sit atop of the MaxPreps leaderboard for Montana passing and receiving among reporting schools. Wilson ranks among the top 20 nationally for those schools reporting results at MaxPreps.com.
The Frenchtown win moved the Broncs (4-2) into a three-way tie for fourth place, while the Pirates are on the outside looking in. Polson (3-3) remains in the hunt, but in need of some help along the way. Only four berths will represent the West instead of the usual half dozen.
Frenchtown travels to Ronan this Friday, then travels to Columbia Falls before finishing up at home against Libby. The Pirates host Stevensville for homecoming Friday, followed by Butte Central, then travel to top-ranked and undefeated Hamilton for their season finale.
Frenchtown 56, Polson 46
Polson 0 - 22 - 8 - 16 – 46
Frenchtown 14 - 14 - 14 - 14 – 56
F – Cole Stenerson 1 fumble return (Brandon Finley kick)
F – Peyton Hicks 6 run (Finley kick)
P – Jarrett Wilson 7 run (run after screen catch stopped)
F – Tel Arthur 5 run (Finley kick)
P – Xavier Fisher 57 pass from J.Wilson (Colton Graham pass from J.Wilson)*
P – Colton Graham 39 pass from J.Wilson (X.Fisher pass from J.Wilson)* 22-21
F – Devin Shelton 12 pass from Wyatt Hayes (Finley kick)
F – Shelton 6 pass from Hayes (Finley kick)
P – Boston Goode 6 pass from J.Wilson (B.Goode run)*
F – Arthur 1 run (Finley kick) 30-42
P – Graham 12 pass from J.Wilson (J.Wilson run) 38-42
F – Arthur 3 run (Finley kick)
P – Graham 10 pass from J.Wilson (Graham pass from J.Wilson)* 46-49
F – Arthur 6 run (Finley kick)
Class A Football Standings
Southwest Conf. Overall
Hamilton 5-0 6-0
Dillon 4-1 4-1
Frenchtown 3-2 4-2
Corvallis 1-3 1-4
Butte Central 0-3 0-4
Stevensville 0-4 0-5
Northwest Conf. Overall
Columbia Falls 4-1 4-2
Libby 4-1 5-1
Polson 3-2 3-3
Whitefish 3-2 4-2
Ronan 1-4 2-4
Browning 0-5 0-5