Pirates edge Chiefs in Rez rivalry wrangle

At Polson for the annual gridiron rendition of the Rez rivalry rendezvous wrangle with Ronan, the host Pirates prevailed, but not before the Chiefs executed their share of lasting impressions.

Polson attempted to squib an onside kick to open the game and recovered the ball when the Chiefs were caught off guard. The Pirates then marched down the field to score and take a 6-0 lead.

Ronan’s subsequent drive stalled when they were unable to convert on a fourth and one, the Pirates taking over on downs at their own 26.

Long pass completions to Colton Graham, among others of the receiving corps, were interspersed with quarterback Jarrett Wilson scrambles, capped by a short yardage plunge by Boston Goode, who complemented it with the conversion run to stake Polson to a 14-0 lead.

The Chiefs then reeled off an answering drive. Senior receiver Jayden Rodda caught a long pass to advance to the Pirate 25. Senior running back Bruin Largent added another first down by taking the ball down to the 15 before Trapper McAllister put the Chiefs on the scoreboard by reeling in a 13-yarder from Daniel Kelsch for six, two more added on the quarterback keeper, 14-8.

Pirate quarterback Wilson threw a 35-yard strike to Graham, then a quarterback keeper, 22-8.

The Chiefs countered when Daniel Bishop shook his defenders and rumbled to the red zone. The drive was capped by a 1-yard direct snap to McAllister, 22-14.

Pirate signal-caller Wilson unleashed the longest completion of the night, Graham gathering it in and scoring from 60-yards out, 28-14.

The Chiefs got a boost from a huge kickoff return by Colter Cornwell across midfield, but the drive stalled. Polson took over, but that drive stalled, the visiting Chiefs taking over on downs at their own 47 with just under four minutes remaining before the half. A Girma Detwiler reception and some quarterback Kelsch scrambles advanced the ball to the Pirate doorstep, McAllister punctuating the drive with a six yard reception for a 28-20 halftime score.

In the third, as Polson was on the march, Ronan senior linebacker Jayden Rodda intercepted an errant pass and advanced the ball a short distance into red zone territory. A few plays later, Pirate senior defensive back Boston Goode snagged a pick of his own and returned the ball close to midfield. That would have put Polson in good field position, but a penalty negated the potential momentum shift.

The Chiefs capitalized when senior back Bishop caught a short pass from quarterback Kelsch to close the gap to 28-26.

The Pirates countered with an interspersing of Colton Graham receptions and Jarrett Wilson scrambles, capped by a Jony Perez TD reception and a Wilson conversion run to extend the margin out to 10.

The Chiefs would benefit from a Pirate quarterback scramble in the end zone when their blocker was cited for an infraction, resulting in a two point safety being awarded to Ronan as well as possession after a kickoff.

Pass receptions to Cornwell and Bishop would bookend a penalty, followed by another infraction that would place the ball midway within the red zone. Ronan was again presented with an opportunity to knot the contest even. But their drive stalled as Pirate defenders repelled any further infringements into their real estate, Polson taking over on downs.

With the ball deep in Polson territory, had Ronan's defense been able to contain the Pirates, they might have gotten the ball back in relatively decent field position. But Jarrett Wilson’s mobility created complications as he reeled off several big runs before hitting receiver Xavier Fisher for a TD. The conversion put Polson up 44-28, practically sealing the win.

Chiefs head coach Matt Detwiler acknowledged that "we had multiple chances to take over in the game and missed ... opportunities."

Pirate head coach Kaden Glinsmann tipped his hat toward Ronan for their level of preparation prior to the game. "I think Coach Detweiler did a great job of preparing his team both defensively and offensively. They had a defensive game plan that took away our best plays and offensively they gave us fits with their fly sweep misdirection. In the end, our young men made the plays that were needed and that was the difference."

Ronan hosts Whitefish for homecoming Friday, while Polson travels to Libby.

Polson 52, Ronan 34

Polson (3-1), Ronan (1-3)

Ronan 8 14 8 6 – 34

Polson 14 14 8 16 – 52

P – Jarrett Wilson 1 run (pass incomplete)

P – Boston Goode 3 run (B.Goode run)

R – Trapper McAllister* 13 pass from Daniel Kelsch (Kelsch run)

P – Colton Graham 35 pass from J.Wilson (J.Wilson run)

R – T.McCAllister 1 run direct snap (pass broken up)

P – C.Graham 60 pass from J.Wilson (run stopped)

R – T.McAllister 6 pass from D.Kelsch (pass incomplete)

R – Daniel Bishop 3 pass from D.Kelsch (run stopped short) 26-28

P – Jony Perez 3 pass from J.Wilson (J.Wilson run)

R – Safety: endzone penalty (block in back)

P – Xavier Fisher 1 pass from J.Wilson (J.Wilson run)

P – X.Fisher 12 pass from J.Wilson (B.Goode run)

R – D. Kelsch 2 run (pitchout fizzled)

RUSH – R30-136 (D.Bishop 5-64, D.Kelsch 12-46, Bruin Largent 10-23, C.Cornwell 1-2, T.McAllister 2-1), P25-147 (J.Wilson 17-120, B.Goode 8-27). PASS – R19-39-200 (Daniel Kelsch 19-38-200-2, C.Cheff 0-1), P(Jarrett Wilson 28-46-439-2). REC – R19-200 (C.Cornwell 4-76, T.McAllister 8-44, Girma Detwiler 2-29, Jayden Rodda 1-24, D.Bishop 2-19, B.Largent 2-8), P28-440 (C.Graham 12-246, Robert Perez 5-81,JC Steele 5-41, Alex Muzquiz 1-18, X.Fisher 3-25, B.Goode 3-18, J.Perez 1-1). KR – R3-33(C.Cornwell 2-33). PR – R(C.Cheff 1-12). KO – R(Tristan Fisher 6-232).

INT – R(Jayden Rodda 2-27), P(B.Goode 1-2, Trent Wilson 1-20). PD – R(Cornwell), P9(J.Wilson 3, T.Wilson 2, Trevor Lake, R.Perez, B.Goode, X.Fisher). FR – P(J.Wilson). HRY – P6(Braunson Henriksen 2, Trent Dwelle, Keyen Nash, Hunter Pittsley, Aaron O'Roake). TFL – P(X.Fisher 1, H.Pittsley 1, Trent Dwelle ½, A.O'Roake ½). TKL/AST – R26t28a (T.McAllister 9t1a, D.Kelsch 5t4a, D.Bishop 5t2a, C.Cheff 1t4a, Jay.Rodda 1t4a, Jasen Rodda 2t, T.Fisher 1t2a, Payton Cates 4a, B.Largent 3a, Dylan Davis 3a, James Kenelty 1t, Jesse LittleBoy 1t, Dylan Kelch 1a), P26t39a (X.Fisher 5t4a, T.Dwelle 2t9a, B.Goode 4t3a, Bra.Henriksen 4t2a, H.Pittsley 2t5a, T.Wilson 2t5a, Caleb Pierre 1t5a, J.Wilson 2t, AJ Mathewson 2t, T.Lake 4a, A.Muzquiz 1t, Colter Wilson 1t, A.O'Roake 1a, K.Nash 1a). SCORING – R34p: D.Kelsch (3TDpass,1TDrun,1Crun), T.McAllister (2TDrec,1TDrun), D.Bishop (1TDrec); P52: J.Wilson (5TDpass,1TDrun,3Crun), Co.Graham (2TDrec), X.Fisher (2TDrec), B.Goode (1TDrun,2Crun), J.Perez (1TDrec). (Fr18Sep20)

Asterisk (*) denotes stat variant(s) where alternate data exists: B.Goode had another interception with long yardage return, but was negated due to penalty. 1Q Ronan TD receiver identified as R#13 Colter Cornwell in coverage reported to media.

highlight reel plays: Interceptions by R#85 Jayden Rodda, P#34 Boston Goode and P#32 Trent Wilson. Pass defense of P#13 JC Steele lowering the boom on R#26 Daniel Bishop to break up a pass during third quarter action, somewhat reminiscent of being hit by that oversized mallet the Polson cheer section wields in the stands. Precision passing of both quarterbacks, R#9 Daniel Kelsch and P#8 Jarrett Wilson, who combined for over 600 yards to their receiving corps that bordered the level of entertainment one might derive from attending one of those military air shows.

injury report: Trent Dwelle exited the game after reaggrivating a previous shoulder injury.