Bluehawks battle Wardens on gridiron

THOMPSON FALLS – Under the lights the Thompson Falls Bluehawks met the Deer Lodge Wardens on home turf last weekend.

Holding the lead until the fourth quarter the Bluehawks eventually succumbed to the Deer Lodge rally and after the Wardens put up 14 unanswered points the contest ended with a final score of Deer Lodge 20 and Thompson Falls 13.

Thompson Falls Head Coach Jared Koskela noted Deer Lodge was a tough competitor and he was pleased with how his team was able to take their game to the Wardens.

“We came out swinging and played well on defense for most of the game,” Koskela said.

Though the game was mostly a defensive struggle for three quarters of play, Wide Receiver McKenzie Holt had a big day on offense for the Bluehawks.

Holt caught an 85-yard touchdown pass from Quarterback Greg Wadsworth to give Thompson Falls the lead.

In addition to this big play Holt had four other catches during the night’s game, on his way to a 126-yard performance in front of the home crowd.

The Bluehawks kept Deer Lodge out of the end zone for the first three quarters of the game, but in the game’s final quarter, down by a score of 13-6, the Wardens finally scored a touchdown tying the game at 13-13.

Despite the loss Koskela said he was pleased with the development he has seen in his football team through the early stages of the season.

“We have made a lot of positive changes as a team,” Koskela said.

Two facets of the game Koskela was looking to emphasize in this week’s practices were turnovers and penalties.

Thompson Falls turned the ball over six times during the game and the team will look to eliminate those mistakes in future matchups.

“We need to work on eliminating the turnovers and limiting penalties,” Koskela said.

Next Friday the Bluehawks will travel to Eureka for another contest under the lights.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

The Bluehawks will look to build on their improved play as the season moves from its early stages into the middle portion of the football year.

Koskela believes the team is headed in the right direction.