Class A football playoffs: Libby eyes fast start versus Broncs

Libby coach Neil Fuller feels a whole lot better about his football team this week than he did halfway through the season.

"Best overall game," he said of last week's 35-28 Northwestern A victory over Columbia Falls.

"We were up 27-7 going into the fourth quarter."

Columbia Falls QB Austin Barth tried to rally the Wildcats, completing 15 of 37 passes for 310 yards and two TDs, but the Libby defense held tough at the end.

"Offensively, we have just not had a productive year, but the kids have still found ways to win," Fuller said of previous outings.

"We will build on last week, what we did with Columbia Falls, and hope to get off to fast start against Hamilton."

Libby (5-4) opens the Class A playoffs today at home hosting Hamilton (4-5). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

"They're getting better and better," Fuller said of Hamilton.

"They have a new coach and he did a great job in his first year getting them into the playoffs."

Hamilton also finished up regular-season action on a positive note last Friday, whipping Anaconda 40-20.

Quarterback Josh Bauder and Tyler Murray hooked up for three scoring TD passes in that game - 20, 30 and 31 yards.

"Their quarterback can throw the ball a country mile," Fuller said.

"They are a scrappy team. It will be a good challenge for us."

Defensively, Fuller said the Loggers have played "well all year. The only game we struggled in was down at Polson."

Libby's defense has allowed 162.78 yards passing per game and 140.56 rushing. Points-wise, the Loggers have allowed an average of 25.11 per outing.

The Logger offense was third in Northwestern A in passing, 111.11 yards per game, and fifth (last) in rushing, 112.33.

Libby averaged 21.78 points per game.

Nic Robertson has been Libby's top rusher with 291 yards on 75 carries for a 3.88-yard per carry average. Colby Rybar is next with 198 yards on 55 carries for a 3.60 average.

Rybar last week scored three touchdowns on runs of 3, 2 and 5 yards.

Micah Germany and Jared Winslow have shared QB duties. Germany is 52 of 118 passing for 567 yards and three TDs. Winslow has completed 29 of 59 for 391 yards and seven touchdowns.

"Hopefully, we can get some points on the board early," Fuller said.

"That's been our Achilles' heel all year ... we haven't gotten our offense going until later in the games."

Libby is 3-1 in home games this year. The lone loss was to Havre.

The Loggers lost to Stevensville in the first-round of the playoffs a year ago.

Libby has made it to the semifinal round three times.

In Fuller's nine seasons with Libby, the Loggers have been in the postseason seven times.