Bigfork, Fairfield rematch for Class B state football title

The number that sticks out like a sore thumb with Bigfork football coach Todd Emslie from the first meeting with Fairfield this season is seven.

Bigfork did score that many points in that Oct. 8 meeting in Fairfield, a 26-7 loss, but the Vikings also had seven turnovers.

"It was everything," he said.

"Fumbles, interceptions, snaps over the punter's head."

As it turned out for Bigfork and Emslie, it was just one of those outings where everything seemed to go wrong. Bigfork has been a different team ever since then.

"We took a lot from that game," he said.

"We learned what it's like, what you have to do, to play at that level. You make a mistake, you pay. Fairfield doesn't make many mistakes."

Bigfork, ranked No. 10, is 9-2 and has won five straight since the Fairfield loss.

Fairfield, ranked No. 7, is also 9-2 and has won three straight after back-to-back losses to Cut Bank and Choteau to end the regular season.

And now the two schools will meet again for the Class B state championship today. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. in Bigfork.

Fairfield is playing on the road for the fourth-straight week, and on the road for the fourth-straight year in the title game, having finished second the last three years.

Bigfork, on the other hand, is playing its fourth straight playoff home game.

"They got experience, a lot of experience in playoff games," Emslie said of Fairfield

"That league (District 1B) they play in is ultra tough.

"The Fairfield seniors have been in that (title) game every year and have not won it. They will be pretty hungry.

"On the other side, we have seniors with no win seasons. They deserve it (state championship), too."

Fairfield is led by senior quarterback Matt Patterson. He leads the team in rushing, 942 yards on 132 carries and nine touchdowns, and has thrown for 1,528 yards (103 completions in 166 attempts) and 17 touchdowns. He's been intercepted seven times.

Last year Patterson flirted with 3,000 yards combined (running and passing).

"We have some other people around him this year," Fairfield coach Les Meyer said of his star QB.

"We don't have to rely on him as much as we did a year ago.

"He can throw the ball," Patterson continued.

"We have some good targets who can catch and run."

Collin Allen and Colby Hardin have been Patterson's favorite receivers. Allen has 28 receptions for 469 yards and six touchdowns. Hardin has caught 22 passes for 403 yards and two scores.

Chad Barrett and Troy McInerney both had four TD receptions.

Weston Allen is Fairfield's No. 2 rusher with 514 yards on 88 carries and nine touchdowns.

"We would rather run it, that's more of our MO," Meyer said.

"But we've been able to throw it when the time needs."

Bigfork has a talented running duo in Travis Knoll and Cody Dopps, a smart-accurate passer and able runner in quarterback Christian Ker, and some top-notch possession type receivers in Ian Lorang and Connor Coleman.

"We have lots of concerns," Meyer said regarding Bigfork's explosive offense.

"Obviously, they are built for this time of the year (when weather can play a factor). Their offensive line is huge, they play well, block well. They're good up front.

"It doesn't help (us) they are able to hand off to a great running back in Travis Knoll, at the same time give it to Cody Dopps. Their quarterback is 6-foot-5 and that doesn't help matters either. They're a good outfit."

Knoll passed the 2,000-yard rushing mark for the season last week with 150 yards in a 28-14 victory over Cut Bank. That gave him 2,008.

Dopps is also coming off a strong performance, rushing for 121 yards and a key touchdown just as the first half ended.

So, who has the edge?

"If the field is sloppy, it could favor us," Emslie said.

"But people are always looking for those things. The team that makes less mistakes, plays a cleaner game, will be the winner."