Bigfork clips Choteau
<p>Choteau Quarterback Austin Walker (left) just manages to escape a sack by Bigfork's Hank McLeod during their game on Friday in Bigfork.</p>
BIGFORK — Bigfork edged by Choteau 28-25 at home on Friday in the first round of the Class B football playoffs, trumping the Bulldogs with a late touchdown drive and some even later defensive heroics.
When the Vikings needed to make a play, they leaned on their seniors.
Running back Boyd Rieke carried Bigfork late, running for 39 of his 180 yards on the final scoring drive, including a streaking 18-yard touchdown up the middle that put the Vikings in the lead for good. Rieke darted up the field and bounced off two defenders before stretching across the goal line.
“It was just pure determination, I just kept going,” Rieke said. “I saw the end zone and I was going to get there.”
The game was close throughout, as the teams traded scores in the first half.
Bigfork’s big break came when the Bulldogs decided to attempt a two-point conversion after their second touchdown as the result of a penalty that placed the ball just outside the 1-yard line. Choteau’s run attempt was stuffed up the middle, leaving the visitors playing from a point behind.
The Vikings would stop two other two-point attempts in the game, giving them the edge in an extremely close contest.
Rieke scored all three offensive touchdowns for the Vikings and Colter Trent was 10 of 20 passing for 144 yards . Chris Landon had a team-high five catches for 67 yards, including some highlight grabs to save Bigfork drives.
“The seniors came up with some big plays,” Bigfork coach Todd Emslie said. “Exciting. That was a great game.”
Austin Walker was 18 of 36 passing for 236 yards and three interceptions for Choteau. Jake French led the Bulldogs with 20 rushes for 96 yards.
Bigfork will play the winner of today’s game between Forsyth and Shepherd next week. It will be a road contest for Bigfork.
Choteau71206—25
Bigfork14707—28
B - Boyd Rieke 6 run (Austin Jordt kick)
C - Austin Walker 1 run (kick good)
B - Rieke 6 run (Jordt kick)
C - Kyle Gollehon 18 pass from Walker (run failed)
B - Blake Weimer interception return (Jordt kick)
C - Walker 8 run (pass failed)
C - French 3 run (pass failed)
B - Rieke 18 run (Jordt kick)