Football Roundup: Vikings stumble at home

CHARLO — A bruising Thompson Falls running game and some early interceptions proved too much for the Charlo Vikings to overcome in their season opener Friday night, a 42-0 loss at home.

Rain poured down on the field for most of the first half as the Blue Hawks built a 28-0 lead.

Charlo’s defense forced a turnover on downs in the game’s opening series, and the Vikings were poised to take an early lead. But the promising drive ended with an interception as the Blue Hawks’ Elijah Ratliff picked off a pass from Charlo quarterback Coyle Nagy in the end zone.

Thompson Falls marched the length of the field with a persistent running attack that included a third-and-15 conversion and a 20-yard run into the red zone en route to the game’s first score.

Nagy fired a pass to his right on the Vikings’ next series and was picked off by Blue Hawks defender Jordan Fisher, who returned the pick for a score.

Penalties and issues with snaps stalled several Charlo drives. The bright spot for the Vikings offense came at the end of the first half. Trailing 28-0, Nagy guided the offense the length of the field, relying heavily on passes to receiver Braydon Zempel and running back Tucker Love, who got a huge gain into the red zone to convert a fourth-and-long in the waning seconds.

Nagy got to the line and spiked the ball with 0.7 seconds remaining. On the final play of the half, Nagy hit receiver Keaton Piedalue across the middle. Piedalue dove into the end zone as time expired, but officials ruled that he was down before crossing the plane.

Charlo (0-1) will look to get back on track on the road Friday night against county rival Mission (1-0).

Seeley-Swan 28, Arlee 8

Jake Knoll notched a safety and caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Kendall O’Neill as the Warriors opened the season with a home loss Friday.

All of Arlee’s points came in the first quarter. The Warriors trailed 12-8 at halftime, but the Black Hawks pulled away in the second half.

Arlee plays at Darby on Friday night.

Seeley 6 6 6 8 – 26

Arlee 8 0 0 0 – 8

SS — Owen Hoag run (run failed)

ARL – Jake Knoll safety

ARL – Jake Knoll 37 pass from Kendall O'Neill (run failed)

SS — Walker McDonald run (pass failed)

SS — Owen Hoag 2 run (pass failed)

SS — Hoag 30 run (Hoag run)

Mission 66, Victor 44

The Bulldogs, who advanced to state bracket play last season, opened 2021 under new coach Carson Oakland with a convincing road win at Victor on Saturday.

Oakland takes the helm after Tyler Murray left St. Ignatius to lead the new football program at East Helena.

No stats or scoring info for Saturday’s game was available at press time.