Columbia Falls defense overwhelms Bigfork

Columbia Falls defenders disrupt a pass attempt by Bigfork quarterback Cole Schmit (1) in the third quarter at Satterthwaite Field on Friday, Oct. 18. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Columbia Falls quarterback Banyan Johnston (7) scores a touchdown on a run in the first quarter against Bigfork at Satterthwaite Field on Friday, Oct. 18. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Columbia Falls wide receiver Easton Brooks (10) is tackled by Bigfork defenders Austin (32) and Tamret Savik (11) in the second quarter at Satterthwaite Field on Friday, Oct. 18. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Columbia Falls wide receiver Cooper Ross (3) picks up yardage after a reception in the first quarter against Bigfork at Satterthwaite Field on Friday, Oct. 18. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Columbia Falls quarterback Banyan Johnston (7) throws in the third quarter against Bigfork at Satterthwaite Field on Friday, Oct. 18. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Columbia Falls cornerback Austin Dodson (2) forces a fumble by Bigfork quarterback Cole Schmit (1) on a run in the first quarter at Satterthwaite Field on Friday, Oct. 18. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Bigfork running back Noah Pandina (45) looks for running room in the third quarter against Columbia Falls at Satterthwaite Field on Friday, Oct. 18. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Columbia Falls cornerback Easton Brooks (10) intercepts a pass in the third quarter against Bigfork at Satterthwaite Field on Friday, Oct. 18. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Columbia Falls quarterback Banyan Johnston (7) scores a touchdown on a run in the second quarter against Bigfork at Satterthwaite Field on Friday, Oct. 18. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Bigfork quarterback Cole Schmit (1) celebrates with teammates after a touchdown run in the third quarter against Columbia Falls at Satterthwaite Field on Friday, Oct. 18. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Columbia Falls safety Jory Hill (14) intercepts a pass in the third quarter against Bigfork at Satterthwaite Field on Friday, Oct. 18. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

by JOSH AMICK
Reporter | October 19, 2024 12:00 AM

COLUMBIA FALLS — The Columbia Falls Wildcats’ defense forced seven Bigfork Vikings turnovers, to pick up a big Western A conference football win 43-14 Friday night.

In a game where the defense was able to make the Vikings one dimensional and stop the run, the Wildcats finished the game with as many interceptions (six) as Bigfork had completions.

“We saw on film they like to run the ball, so we figured if we could make them throw the ball and we get a rush, we have phenomenal athletes in the secondary to get those 50-50 balls,” Wildcats coach Kelly Houle said.

Down 14-0 in the second quarter with just 31 seconds left, the Vikings elected to take a shot downfield to try and put up some points before the half, and it backfired with safety Jory Hill making a leaping interception on the 50-yard line.

On the next play, quarterback Banyan Johnston completed a 49-yard pass to Ethan Brooks to put the Wildcats on the 1-yard line with 2 seconds left in the half.

Johnston ran in the touchdown, as well as a two-point conversion to give the Wildcats a 22-0 lead.

With the Wildcats (5-2 overall and in league games) down to their third string running back, Johnston accounted for all three first-half scores with his legs, none bigger than that one.

“I feel like I ran the ball more than I was expecting to,” Johnston said. “But once we are near the goal line, I feel like the ball was going to me or Reggie (Sapa).”

Johnston finished the game with 74 yards rushing and three touchdowns, while also throwing for 214 yards and two more scores.

The highlight of the night came in the third quarter, when Cooper Ross made a diving one-handed catch in the back of the endzone for a 45-yard touchdown from Johnston to give the Wildcats a 29-0 lead.

Ross finished the night with four catches for 97 yards and two scores on offense, while also recovering a fumble on defense and going 6-for-6 on PATs.

“It gives me a lot of confidence as a quarterback with guys like Ross and Brooks, that I can throw almost any ball up and they’ll come down with it,” Johnston said. “It is pretty nice to have that luxury at the outside receiver.”

After Ross’ highlight grap, Bigfork was able to get the ground game going on their next drive and quarterback Cole Schmit capped off the Viking drive with a 4-yard touchdown run.

On the ensuing kickoff, the ball was muffed and Bigfork recovered on the 28. A few plays later Treker Hickey scored on a 17-yard run and suddenly Bigfork was down two scores, 29-14.

The Wildcats defense responded as Brooks intercepted his third pass of the night, which led to Ross’s second touchdown from 20 yards out to extend the lead 36-14.

The Wildcats would intercept Bigfork two more times, including Hill’s second interception of the night, which he returned for a touchdown.

“I don’t know if I have ever coached or played in a game where we forced seven turnovers,” Houle said. “I am very proud of the kids and proud to be a Wildcat tonight.”

It was a big win for the Wildcats, who leapfrogged Bigfork (5-3) in the Vikings’ regular season finale.

The Wildcats host Ronan next week to finish their regular season, while Bigfork will await playoff seeding.

Bigfork 0 0 7 7 — 14

C. Falls 0 22 7 14 — 43

C — Banyan Johnston 2 run (Cooper Ross kick)

C — Johnston 1 run (Ross kick)

C — Johnston 1 run (Johnston run)

C — Ross 45 pass from Johnston (Ross kick)

B — Cole Schmit 4 run (Quinn Kerr kick)

B — Treker Hickey 17 run (Kerr kick)

C — Ross 20 pass (Ross kick)

C — Jory Hill 35 interception (Ross kick)

Columbia Falls quarterback Banyan Johnston (7) throws in the third quarter against Bigfork at Satterthwaite Field on Friday, Oct. 18. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Bigfork running back Noah Pandina (45) looks for running room in the third quarter against Columbia Falls at Satterthwaite Field on Friday, Oct. 18. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Columbia Falls cornerback Easton Brooks (10) intercepts a pass in the third quarter against Bigfork at Satterthwaite Field on Friday, Oct. 18. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Columbia Falls safety Jory Hill (14) intercepts a pass in the third quarter against Bigfork at Satterthwaite Field on Friday, Oct. 18. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider