Ronan bullies Bigfork
The Daily Inter Lake
BIGFORK - In a game between Northwestern A's only winless programs, the Ronan High School football team ran wild against Bigfork on Friday en route to a 35-12 victory.
Junior running back Nick Courville rushed 14 times for 183 yards and a touchdown. Senior Tyler Espinosa added 15 carries for 99 yards and two scores and the Chiefs (1-6, 1-4) totaled 317 yards on the ground.
It took Ronan's offense only two plays to find the end zone. The Vikings (0-7, 0-5) opened the game with an impressive drive, but Ronan stuffed their fourth-and-one run and Courville quickly took over.
The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Courville rumbled for 5 yards on the next play and then burst through a gaping hole for a 59-yard touchdown jaunt down the left sideline.
"(Courville) started running downhill tonight and we've been talking about that," said Ronan coach Jamie Courville.
Ronan quarterback Mike Fisher only completed two passes, but both were touchdown strikes to Alan Skogen.
The Vikings had little trouble moving the ball, but they had a tough time holding onto it. Bigfork finished with 232 yards and 16 first downs, but committed four turnovers. Tyson Noyes and Makenzy Kelch each intercepted a pass for Ronan.
Sophomore quarterback Dustin Haines was sharp, however, completing 12 of 25 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown, despite several dropped balls by Bigfork receivers.
Brice Hattel led the Vikings with five catches and 71 yards and hung on to make a spectacular 26-yard reception in the first quarter while he was sandwiched by two Ronan defenders. Justin Goode added three grabs for 35 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown reception from Haines in thefourth quarter.
Haines also rushed the ball 11 times for 62 yards and the Vikings ran the ball with consistent success for the first time all season.
Brad Bell paced Bigfork with 105 rushing yards, including a 25-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, which drew the Vikings within one point.
Bigfork coach Aaron Stiegeler said the Vikings have switched to a full stretch offense, similar to the one Rocky Mountain College used to run, in order to create space in the defense and open more running lanes.
"Our offensive line is doing a good job of getting to where they need to be and making some blocks," Stiegeler said.
The Vikings began the season with minimal depth and have been further depleted by injuries. Bigfork has lost eight athletes for the season due to injury and dressed only 21 players Friday.
Stiegeler said the Vikings aren't able to practice against a full scout team, but he didn't blame that for his team's loss.
"Ronan outplayed us and they deserve a win and they did it with class," Stiegeler said.
Bigfork has one more chance for a win when it is host to Libby next Friday. The Loggers are undefeated and have blown out most of their conference opponents, but Stiegeler said the Vikings can be competitive if they make a full commitment to improving in practice.
"I'm a firm believer that will and desire will overcome talent and athletic ability any day," Stiegeler said.
Ronan 13 8 7 7 - 35
Bigfork 6 0 0 6 - 12
First Quarter
Ronan - Nick Courville 59 run (Alan Skogen kick), 7:44
Bigfork - Brad Bell 25 run (Dustin Haines pass failed), 4:01
Ronan - Skogen 37 pass from Mike Fisher (kick blocked), 1:18
Second Quarter
Ronan - Tyler Espinosa 11 run (Courville run), 4:05
Third Quarter
Ronan - Skogen 23 pass from Fisher (Skogen kick), 6:38
Fourth Quarter
Ronan - Espinosa 11 run (Skogen kick), 10:12
Bigfork - Justin Goode 16 pass from Haines (Haines pass failed), 1:17
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Ronan Bigfork
First downs 11 16
Rushes-yards 40-317 37-191
Passing yards 60 141
Passing 2-10-0 12-25-2 Fumbles-lost 1-0 3-2
Penalties 9-65 4-40
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INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing - Ronan, Courville 14-183, Espinosa 15-99, Fisher 5-10, Joe McCarthy 1-21, Kris Lawson 2-5, Makenzy Kelch 1-0, NA 2-(-1); Bigfork, John White 6-22, Bell 17-105, Haines 11-62, Vince Smith 1-(-9), Aaron Vogel 2-11
Passing - Ronan, Fisher 2-10-0-60; Bigfork, Haines 12-25-2-141
Receiving - Ronan, Skogen 2-60; Bigfork, Andrew Whittaker 3-24, Brice Hattel 5-71, Mason Shoultz 1-11, Justin Goode 3-35