Libby's home, Polson travels for playoffs

The Polson Pirates are ready to make their ninth postseason appearance in 10 years while the Libby Loggers are back in the Class A football playoffs after a two-year absence.

Libby (5-4) hosts Stevensville (6-3) tonight at 7 p.m. in opening-round action.

Polson (6-2) plays defending state champion Frenchtown (5-4) on the road on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Libby is back in the playoffs for the sixth time in the last eight years but for the first time since 2007. Libby made it to the semifinals in both 2006 and '07.

The Loggers have won three of their last four games, including a 17-16 regular-season finale victory over Polson last week that gave the Loggers second place in Northwestern A and home-field advantage today.

"Any time you can get a win over Polson, it's huge," Libby eighth-year head coach Neil Fuller said.

"Our defense has been playing very physical and we've been able to run the ball the last few weeks."

The same successful game plan Libby used against the Pirates will come into play today, Fuller said.

"(Stevensville) is really similar to Polson. We know from what we've seen they have a really explosive quarterback and they have really good speed," Fuller said.

"The last thing I want to do is get in a shootout with these guys."

Caleb Vance is the quarterback in question and he is every bit as explosive as advertised. This season, the junior has thrown for 1,723 yards and 21 TDs and rushed for 511 yards.

The Yellowjackets averaged 31.4 points-per-game and earned the third seed from Southwestern A.

Libby, on the other hand, is without a similar one-man superstar, and Fuller is just fine with that.

"I've had more fun coaching this season than I've had in years," he said.

"We don't have any superstars. This group is fun to be around and they practice hard every day and keep working hard and getting better. They've played as a team all year. Now we're just hoping we can extend our season."

Corey Chapman has rushed for 613 yards and six TDs this fall, Justin Thrailkill has 348 yards and three TDs and Colby Rybar has 339 yards and five TDs for Libby, which averages 24.3 ppg.

Quarterback Kelly May has thrown for 1,024 yards and eight TDs and receiver Kody Berget has 380 yards and four TDs.

The Pirates are hoping this is the year they finally get over that quarterfinal hump.

Polson has been playoff regulars over the last decade, but only for the first weeks. Polson has failed to make it past the quarterfinals in over a decade and last won an opener in 2002. Polson didn't make the playoffs in 2007.

After replacing 17 starters from a year ago, the Pirates won their first four games and were ranked as high as third before losing to Columbia Falls 25-20 on Oct. 1.

Polson beat Frenchtown in the opening week, 21-16 on the road, and 10th-year head coach Scott Wilson hopes that victory plays a positive role in Saturday's matchup.

"The kids getting a win down there will help hopefully with their confidence level but it's always tough to beat a team at home twice," Wilson said.

"It's kind of a double-edged sword in that regard."

Vince DiGiallonardo has had a stellar junior season at quarterback. The second-year starter totaled 1,203 yards passing and 678 rushing and combined for 20 TDs (10 passing, 10 rushing). DiGiallonardo also grabbed three interceptions on defense along with teammate Will Davey.

Senior Kyle Bagnell ended the regular season as the top receiver in Northwestern A, tallying 728 yards. He scored five TDs.

"The one thing I really like about this team is there's a lot of fight in these kids," Wilson said.

"Even last week, when (Libby) scored to go up with just over a minute left, our kids didn't put their heads down ... There's no quit in these guys."

Northwestern A-champ Columbia Falls has a bye this week. The Wildcats host the winner of the Miles City-Have game on Oct. 30.

(Clarification: Polson has been playoff regulars over the last decade, but only for the first weeks. Polson has failed to make it past the quarterfinals in over a decade and last won an opener in 2002. Polson didn't make the playoffs in 2007.)