Laurel stops Columbia Falls comeback

LAUREL — It was a runaway, and then it wasn’t, and eventually Laurel sealed a 35-28 Class A quarterfinal win over Columbia Falls Saturday on Isaiah Burt’s two-dragging interception with 1:19 left.

The Wildcats, who trailed 28-0 early in the second half, put a scare into the Locomotives before ending their season 7-3. Laurel (8-2) will play host to Havre in a semifinal game next Saturday at a time to be determined. The Blue Ponies, who trailed 23-19 after three quarters, beat Frenchtown 47-30.

Burt’s pick was the final nail: The receiver had a huge game with seven catches for 204 yards, and his 77-yard catch and run three plays into the third quarter but Laurel up four touchdowns.