Blue Hawks roll Darby, 56-0

One of the basic elements in football is seeking to dominate the opponent.

And when you can do so on both sides of the ball, chances of winning are close to 100 percent.

No where was that more evident than in Thompson Falls Saturday afternoon when the homestanding Blue Hawks rolled to a thoroughly dominating 56-0 win over the Darby Tigers in Montana 8-man football play.

Seniors Kade Pardee and Roman Sparks combined for seven touchdowns on the day for the Blue Hawks, with Pardee running for four touchdowns while quarterback Sparks scored three times in a game that was basically decided in the first quarter.

Having been postponed from their scheduled Friday night contest due to heavy smoke from regional wildfires, Thompson Falls took advantage of improved air conditions Saturday and jumped to an early lead.

Pardee opened the scoring parade with just over one minute gone in the first quarter, breaking free on a rapid strike 24-yard touchdown jaunt. A successful two-point point after touchdown gave the hosts an 8-0 lead and they were off to the races.

A Darby fumble on the third play from scrimmage of their first possession was recovered by Thompson Falls. The turnover proved costly for Darby when Pardee waltzed into the end zone from three yards out, giving the Blue Hawks a 14-0 lead just over three minutes into the game.

The swarming Blue Hawk defense set the tone on Darby’s next possession, forcing what would be the first of nine punts by the Tigers. Sparks returned the punt to the Tigers’ 32 yard line and on the next play junior running back Jordan Fisher sprinted by the Darby defenders for a 32-yard touchdown.

Once again Thompson Falls shut down the Darby offense, forcing a punt that set up a 12-yard running touchdown by Pardee with just under four minutes to play in the opening quarter. A successful point after kick boosted the Blue Hawks lead to 28-0

Darby was unable to move the ball on its next possession and punted for the third time in the opening quarter. After taking over on Darby’s 30 yard line, Thompson Falls moved quickly downfield and on first and goal from the one, Sparks scored on a quarterback sneak. The first quarter came to a close with the Blue Hawks in total control, 35-0. That lead also set the 35-point/continually running clock rule in motion.

The second quarter began much like the first with Darby being forced to punt, leaving Thompson Falls starting from their own 20 yard line. No problem for the Blue Hawks as Sparks broke through the Tigers defense on his way to a 60-yard score with 9:35 to play in quarter number three.

Same old, same old on the next Darby possession as they were again forced to punt. But the snap from center sailed over the punter’s head and the Blue Hawks pounced on the errant pigskin at the Tigers’ nine yard line. After being denied access to the endzone on three straight plays, Sparks took the snap on fourth and goal and plunged over the goal line to give the Blue Hawks a 49-0 lead.

Darby got the ball back before the end of the first half, but were again unable to pick up a first down, causing them to punt with time running out in the half.

The third quarter began with yet another Darby punt which ultimately resulted in a five-yard touchdown run by Pardee. A successful point after kick proved to be the final score of the game as the third quarter expired with Thompson Falls holding a 56-0 advantage.

The clock continued its unabated run in the final quarter which saw many reserve and younger players get playing time for the Blue Hawks.

By game’s end, the Thompson Falls defense not only held Darby scoreless but they denied them any first downs during the game.

The win upped Thompson Falls season mark to 4-0 while Darby fell to 1-2. Next on the schedule for the Blue Hawks is a game this Friday at Arlee.