Badger football loses at Libby in action-filled game

by Don Alt

On August 30 the Bonners Ferry Badger football team traveled to Libby, Montana to take on the Libby Loggers. This year the Badgers are a young group with only one senior available for the first 2 games. Both the Badgers and Loggers opened the first quarter with mistakes on both sides of the ball. The Badgers took the opening kickoff and marched down to the 30 yard line on short passes by Jason Schutes to Evan Wasmer and Caleb Harrington. Nick Sabin ran the ball hard but the Badgers were turned away on downs. A back and forth battle ensued in the first quarter with fumbles by both the the Badgers and Loggers. The Loggers put together a drive off of a Badger fumble at midfield, and Zach Crace scored from 17 yards out to give the Loggers a 6 point lead. Justin Christiansen added the point after, and the Loggers led 7 to 0. After another Badger miscue, Libby drove the ball to the 10 yard line. The Badger defense, led by Evan Ellis, Tres Hiatt and Caleb Gering, stuffed the Loggers on fourth down just before halftime. Midway through the third quarter, Libby struck again on a well-thrown pass from quarterback Dom Voorhies to Bryce Moeller, covering 85 yards. The point after was no good, and Libby lead 13 to 0. The Badger and Loggers would battle back and forth, each team giving the other chances, but no one taking advantage of the miscues. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Badgers fumbled at their own 30 yard line, and the Loggers were able to take advantage. David Winter scored from 5 yards out, the point after was no good, and the Loggers lead 19 to 0. The Badgers would drive back. With the aid of a double unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and an ejection of Winter, the Badgers started at the 11 yard line. The Logger defense held and forced a turnover on downs. During the next Logger drive, Harrington would step in front of an errant Logger pass and return it 52 yards for a touchdown. The point after was no good, but the Badgers were back in the game with just over 5 minutes to play. The Badgers were able to force Libby to punt and had the ball back with 4:23 left on the clock. The Badgers drove to the Logger 30 yard line where an errant Schutes pass was intercepted by Issak Jones. The Loggers were able to run out the clock and hold on for a 19 to 6 win. Overall, the young Badger team battled well, fought through adversity, and learned that they can make plays at the varsity level. The Badgers host the Newport Grizzlies this Friday, September 5 at 7:00 p.m. in their next game, which will be played at home in Bonners Ferry.