Libby Loggers 'turn over' new leaf
The season could not have started out better for Libby. In a season-opening 42-7 shellacking of Idahos Bonners Ferry, the Loggers played mistake-free football.
That all changed, however, in Libbys next two contests against Stevensville and Frenchtown. In those two games, the Loggers turned the ball over 10 times and, not coincidentally, lost by a combined score of 74-41. After holding an 18-6 lead over Polson in the Northwestern A opener, Libby again had a trio of costly turnovers and went on to lose the game.
But with their backs against the wall, as head coach Neil Fuller put it, the Loggers have turned things around in a big way and head into the playoff opener against 5-3 Hamilton with four straight wins under their belt. In those four victories, Libby has averaged just one turnover per game a trend Fuller hopes can continue at home today, with kickoff set for 1 p.m.
Weve been getting steadily better every game at protecting the ball, said Fuller, whose team heads into the postseason with a 6-3 mark. All Ive asked of the kids is to get better each week and theyve been doing that.
Its definitely been a tale of two seasons.
The Loggers resurgent offense starts up front as interior linemen Stuart Rios (center) and Travis Hjort and Jake Spencer (guards) have allowed Libby to run its bread and butter of traps, misdirection plays and trap options.
The strength of our offense is our line and we have some good anchors in the middle, Fuller said. Theyve enabled us to run the ball effectively and they do a great job of protecting the quarterback.
Libby doesnt have any one back whose stats stand out, but seniors Rusty Naccarato and Phil England and sophomore Jeremy Schumley have all emerged in recent weeks; and junior fullback Jake Graham (6-3, 190) has been the workhorse throughout the season, according to Fuller, as the Loggers have wracked up more than 1,500 yards on the ground through nine games.
Hes the best fullback Ive ever coached, the coach said of Graham. Hes always been a real powerful runner, but now hes starting to develop some finesse.
Fuller also credited the improved decision making of junior QB Kyle Baker in the option attack, and Bakers 1,000-plus yards passing on the season have helped make Libbys attack truly balanced.
Well throw the ball if we need to, Fuller said. Kyle has been doing a better job of spreading the ball around, and that makes us tougher to defend.
While Hjorts blocking has been key on offense, Fuller also said that the 6-4, 215-pounder has also been the lynchpin on the defensive line with his quickness off the ball.
The Loggers have also received a boost in recent weeks with the return of middle linebacker Quinton Rodriguez, who missed the first few games of the season while battling spinal meningitis.
We didnt even know if hed be able to play this season, but hes done a great job anchoring the middle, Fuller said.
The defensive backfield, which includes David Merrick, Kelly Orr and Steve Bertelsen, has also played well, according to Fuller.
Though the Loggers come in with a better record and the home-field advantage, Fuller expects a big battle from Hamilton.
We better be ready to go to work because theyre going to come at us, he said. Their coach (Steve Weston) has established a good tradition there and he always has them ready to play.
But our kids have a sense of purpose. Im excited to see what they can do.