Class A football: Bulldogs railroad Havre
<p>Whitefish senior Gage Smith (51) stops a run by Havre quarterback Dane Warp (6) during the second half of their game on Saturday, August 31, in Whitefish. Whitefish won the match up 45 to 27. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Whitefish senior wide receiver Sean Foley (3) is finally brought down by a Havre defender during their game on Saturday, August 31, in Whitefish. Whitefish won the match up 45 to 27. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
WHITEFISH — Sean Foley was more than willing to share the spotlight after his five touchdown performance Saturday afternoon at Memorial Field.
Whitefish’s speedy 5-foot-9, 160-pound senior returned the opening kickoff 91 yards for a score, turned in touchdown runs of 1, 1 and 5 yards and returned a punt 53 yards for another as the Bulldogs derailed Havre 45-27 in the Class A football opener for both teams.
“I give a lot of credit to my team,” he said.
“They were blocking for me, making plays.
“The offensive line, my coaches, everyone had a part in this win. It’s not just me out there.”
Foley finished with 48 yards on eight carries and caught four passes for 41 yards.
“Out of this world,” Whitefish coach Chad Ross said of Foley’s performance.
“We knew he would be good, but not how good ... how much of a threat he would be. He performed great.”
Sophomore quarterback Luke May had a solid day, hitting 14 of 16 passes for 193 yards and rushing for 75 yards on 14 attempts.
Foley, a two-year starter who also plays in the secondary, had the big hit for the defense much to the delight of the Bulldog fans in the stands. He separated the ball from Havre wide receiver Thomas Gruber with a vicious shot to the upper body on a pass over the middle early in the third quarter.
“It’s just as satisfying (as a touchdown),” Foley said of making a big stop defensively.
“It feels good to get a big hit like that.”
But it was his offensive showing that set the tone for a decisive Whitefish victory. Namely the kickoff return.
“It did,” senior wide receiver/defensive back Dave Rizzolo.
“You could feel the energy on the sidelines.”
Rizzolo was impressive on the defensive side. He halted a drive by Havre with a interception at the Whitefish 30-yard line with less than two minutes left in the first half.
He stopped another potential score with an end zone interception in the third quarter.
And Rizzolo nearly picked off another pass in the end zone in the fourth quarter.
Last year the all-conference defender had two interceptions, with one coming against Havre.
“I think I played pretty well,” Rizzolo said.
“For the first game, I just wanted to work the rust out. Usually that’s what that first game is all about.”
The Bulldog defense, for the most part, had the Blue Ponies offense corralled for much of the contest. Havre managed two late scores against the Whitefish reserves.
“I feel pretty good about it,” Rizzolo said of the defense’s play.
“I felt like we handled them pretty well. They never got anything going against us.”
After the game, Whitefish activities director Aric Harris handed the BSNF Railroad Trophy the two teams play for annually to Foley and Rizzolo. Both players hoisted it high over their teammates.
“I worked real hard in the offseason,” Foley said.
“Getting bigger and stronger. Maybe it’s paying off.”
Foley filled in for May on two plays and nearly threw a touchdown pass to Jed Nagler. The pass was thrown purposely high, away from a defender, and Nagler almost came up with the reception.
Nagler made several outstanding catches on the day, the best coming on a 39 yarder over a defender to set up Whitefish’s third touchdown.
He also made a great adjustment on a 28-yard catch to set up the opening score of the second half.
Nagler had four receptions for 87 yards.
Whitefish finished with 344 yards in total offense.
Nathan Boone showed an accurate foot, making all six extra point kicks and nailing a 36-yard field goal.
“A good win,” Ross said.
“We’ve had a rough couple years. Hopefully this will help bring the winning tradition back.”
Whitefish is back in action Friday hosting Browning in a nonconference game.
Havre 0 13 0 14 — 27
Whitefish 10 14 14 7 — 45
First Quarter
W — Sean Foley 91 kickoff return (Nathan Boone kick), 11:47
W — Boone 36 field goal, 3:35
Second Quarter
H —Kody Pribyl 1 run (Tyrell Piece kick), 11:29
W — Chris Park 4 run (Boone kick), 9:55
H — Nate Rismon 19 pass from Dane Warp (kick blocked), 7:27
W — Foley 1 run (Boone kick), 3:24
Third Quarter
W — Foley 1 run (Boone kick), 6:46
W — Foley 5 run (Boone kick), 1:22
Fourth Quarter
W — Foley 53 punt return (Boone kick), 10:57
H — Warp 3 run (kick failed), 7:31
H — Thomas Gruber 10 pass from Warp (Warp run), 3:16