Thompson Falls takes on Deer Lodge
<p>McKenzie Holt of Thompson Falls takes a hard hit during a run against Deer Lodge last week. Despite a valiant effort, the Bluehawks would drop the first game of the season to the Wardens.</p>
THOMPSON FALLS – The Thompson Falls Bluehawks football team took to the gridiron for the first time for the 2015 season as they faced off against Deer Lodge last Friday night at home but despite a strong showing from their defense and some great offensive plays, the team dropped the game to their opponents 26-17.
The team started off strong against Deer Lodge scoring on their first drive of the game. Their defense put them into scoring position on the very next drive recovering a Deer Lodge fumble. Turnovers would plague the team off and on during the game as a snap was fumbled on the very next play giving the ball back to Deer Lodge.
Deer Lodge managed to drive the ball deep into Bluehawk territory but once again, the team’s defense showed up to play making a strong goal line stand, denying the Wardens a score. With just over a minute to go in the first quarter, the score was still 6-0 in favor of Thompson Falls.
Deer Lodge would answer back early in the second quarter when they recovered a blocked punt in the endzone for a touchdown. The Deer Lodge extra point was good making the score 7-6 in favor of the Wardens. With 11:55 to go in the first half, the Bluehawks turned the ball over again and Deer Lodge was driving but were again stopped on downs by the staunch Thompson Falls defense.
With just minutes to go in the first half, Deer Lodge scored again making it 13-6 after the Bluehawks blocked an extra point attempt. Thompson Falls’ defense forced Deer Lodge to again turn the ball over on downs with just seconds to go in the first half. The half would end with the score 13-6 in favor of the Wardens.
The Bluehawks would start the second half strong, recovering a Deer Lodge fumble deep in their opponent’s territory. The team from Thompson Falls would capitalize on the turnover by scoring another touchdown on the ensuing drive making the score 13-12 with Deer Lodge leading by just a point with a little over 10 minutes left in the third quarter. The Bluehawk extra point attempt was blocked leaving the score 13-12.
The Thompson Falls defense would stop the Deer Lodge drive once again on downs and gave their offense the chance to take the lead in the third quarter. The third quarter would end with the score 13-12 in favor of the Wardens.
Early in the fourth quarter, momentum seemed to switch to the Bluehawks as they started the period by forcing a Deer Lodge fumble and subsequently recovered the turnover once again putting their offense in a position to take the lead. The ball would go back to the Wardens on a turnover and with field position deep in Bluehawk territory, Deer Lodge would make the score 19-12 with just minutes to go in the game with another touchdown.
Deer Lodge would score again with time ticking off the clock and the game ended with the score 26-12.