Pirates run over Hamilton, 37-6

The Daily Inter Lake

Tally 276 yards rushing on 44 carries

POLSON - The Polson High School football team put the Northwestern A conference on notice Friday, rolling to a 37-6 non-conference opening win against visiting Hamilton.

The Pirates led the Broncs 30-0 at halftime and Hamilton's lone score came with 14 seconds left in the game when quarterback Justin Bjorn threw a touchdown pass to Brady Anderson.

Senior running back Ted Morigeau led Polson's scoring barrage with three touchdowns.

Morigeau finished the game with 87 yards on six carries. He ran for Polson's first touchdown of the season in the first quarter and his second touchdown came in the second quarter when he scooped up a Hamilton fumble and raced 25 yards toward the end zone. His final score came on a 53-yard run in the second quarter.

Morigeau also kicked a 12-yard field goal with 2.1 seconds remaining in the first half.

Bryce Picard carried the ball nine times for 89 yards, including two touchdown jaunts. He also caught two passes for 18 yards.

The Pirates tallied 276 yards rushing on 44 carries. Pat Dellwo chipped in with 41 yards on 13 attempts while Joe Andrews added 29 yards on six carries.

Sophomore quarterback Craig Bagnell completed two of seven passes for the Pirates and finished with 18 yards through the air, as well as a two-point conversion strike to John Rausch following Picard's first-quarter touchdown.

Polson's defense was stingy all night as Hamilton earned just four first downs. The Broncs rushed 26 times for 59 yards and completed seven of 12 passes for 126 yards.

Most of Hamilton's yardage came late in the game with Polson's reserve defenders on the field.

Polson took a 37-0 lead early in the third quarter after Hamilton fumbled on its first play from scrimmage to start the second half. The Pirates recovered the loose ball and capped the ensuing drive with Picard's second touchdown.

The teams played most of the second half under a running clock because Polson led by at least 35 points until Hamilton scored in the final seconds.

Hamilton lost four fumbles and threw an interception, which was snagged by Eric Locke. Polson did not turn the ball over.

The Pirates finished the game with no injuries and wrap up non-conference play at Stevensville next Friday at 7 p.m.

Polson 37, Hamilton 6

Hamilton 0 0 0 6 - 6

Polson 14 16 7 0 - 37

First Quarter

Pol-Ted Morigeau run (Morigeau kick failed)

Pol-Bryce Picard run (Craig Bagnell pass to John Rausch)

Second Quarter

Pol-Morigeau 25 fumble return (Morigeau kick)

Pol-Morigeau 53 run (Morigeau kick failed)

Pol-FG Morigeau 12, :2.1

Third Quarter

Pol-Bryce Picard run (Morigeau kick)

Fourth Quarter

Ham-Brady Anderson pass from Justin Bjorn (kick failed)

Ham Pol

First downs 4 8

Total Net Yards 185 294

Rushes-yards 26-59 44-276

Passing 126 18

Comp-Att-Int 7-12-1 2-7-0

Fumbles-Lost 4-4 0

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING-Hamtilton, n/a. Polson, Joe Andrews 6-29, Bagnell 1-(-1), Pat Dellwo 13-41, Derek Gerrity 6-14, Billy Johnson 2-(-3), Morigeau 6-87, Brock Picard 1-(-2), Bryce Picard 9-89

PASSING-Hamilton, n/a. Polson, Bagnell 2-7-0-18.

RECEIVING-Hamilton, n/a. Polson, Bryce Picard 2-18.