Despite loss Thompson Falls still playing for respct

Matt Unrau

Thompson Falls coach Doug Padden labeled Friday’s rivalry game as the “do or die game” for the Bluehawks. Sitting at 1-4 prior to the matchup, and 1-1 in conference the Bluehawks needed this game to keep pace with Big Fork and Eureka in the hunt for the playoffs.

It seemed like the stars were aligned for the Bluehawks to pull off the upset and keep the streak alive as well. It was senior night, and the Bluehawks defense was working magic in keeping the Savage Horsemen out of the endzone. However, as Senior running back Richard Lyons attests the Bluehawk offense had trouble finishing drives, which included quarterback Will Dalby slipping in the backfield on fourth down, and of course the missed extra point that proved to be the difference.

Despite the Bluehawks record they have played their opponents very well as of late losing to Plains-Hot Springs and Big Fork by a combined three points.

Although, the Bluehawks playoff chances are all but extinct their reason for playing still remains. “You’ve got to play for respect, play for your team and play for your community,” says Padden.

Lyons agrees with his coach. “I don’t want to be 1-7. I want to be 3-5,” says Lyons.

Reporter Matt Unrau can be reached by email at editor@VP-MI.com.