Class A football semis: Dillon pulls away from Polson

POLSON — Polson held an early lead but couldn’t hold off a strong Dillon rushing attack, losing 28-7 in the Class A state playoff semifinals on Saturday.

Dillon rolled up 134 yards on the ground and was able to methodically move down the field against the Pirates. Quarterback Ben Folsom ran for 67 yards and three touchdowns, using his big body as a battering ram. He threw for an 11 yard touchdown to seal the game in the fourth quarter.

“He’s a big, strong kid,” Polson coach Scott Wilson said.

“They did a good job of winning some battles up front. It wasn’t big runs. It was a grind and they moved it down the field.”

Polson took the lead early on a 1-yard run from Beau Mills. But the offense struggled to maintain consistent drives, finishing with 72 yards rushing, including 66 from Mills. Polson quarterback Andrew Weltz was 11 of 28 passing for 125 yards and an interception.

“(Dillon) did a good job stopping our run game,” Wilson said. “We were able to throw the ball. They shut us down a little up front.”

The Pirates held Dillon to the fewest points its scored in seven weeks, and limited its productivity all game.

“Our kids played well,” Wilson said. “Dillon’s a good football team. They grinded it out, wore us down and got a couple of touchdowns in the fourth (quarter) that put it away.”

Dillon advances to play Billings Central in the Class A state championship game next week in Billings. The Beavers beat the Rams to claim last season’s title.

“I’m proud of our kids,” Wilson said. “They played with a lot of heart and emotion. They had a great year. They gave it their all today. Dillon’s a good football team. They have nothing to hang their heads about.”

Dillon 0 6 8 14 — 28

Polson 7 0 0 0 — 7

P - Beau Mills 1 run (Brady Hislop kick)

D - Ben Folsom 5 run (kick blocked)

D - Folsom 6 run (Folsom run)

D - Folsom 5 run (Taylor Cashmore kick)

D - Austin Carver 11 pass from Folsom (Cashmore kick)

At Livingston

Billings Central 7 20 11 14 – 52

Livingston 0 0 0 0 – 0

First Quarter

BC – Connor Cerknovik 2 run (Luke Daly kick), 1:44

Second Quarter

BC – Austin Barthel 6 run (Daly kick), 9:07

BC – Barthel 50 run (kick blocked), 4:46

BC – Cerknovik 34 run (Daly kick), :54

Third Quarter

BC – Cerknovik 66 run (Forrest Mawyer run), 10:30

BC – FG Daly 28, :19

Fourth Quarter

BC – Barthel 8 run (Daly kick), 6:17

BC – Gunderson 50 run (Daly kick), 1:46