Blue Hawks hang with Loyola in 11-man

There should have been a band that played “One Shining Moment.”

Fireworks at halftime would have been appropriate.

They get it.

The Thompson Falls Blue Hawks have a grasp on the difficult switch from 8-player to 11-player football as directed by the state of Montana sports powers that be.

For one wonderful half of football, the Blue Hawks, defending Montana 8-player football champs from 2021, took and held the lead against visiting Loyola of Missoula, 13-6.

The Hawks would ultimately surrender the lead in the second half, but the first half demonstrated they have crossed into the magical realm of 11-player despite the 28-13 defeat.

Big deal you might say? They led for a half?

Imagine you are a cat lover and like to be in a room with seven cats all liking the fact you are there. But there have been eight other cats who want to scratch your eyes out.

Now, add six more cats, three to a side, into the room and imagine the chaos that would ensue.

So, yeah, it is a big deal. T Falls is on it’s way to properly repping as an 11-player team.

Senior quarterback Elijah Ratliff’s first quarter touchdown, a mere four-yard stroll into the Loyola end zone, was big news indeed.

It wasn’t the first time this year the Blue Hawks had scored in the first quarter, but that six-point lead and what took place the rest of the first half was the golden ray of sunshine that said, “we are here, we are somebody” to the rest of the Western 7B Conference.

Not that they will be champions overnight, but that the end is in sight.

Loyola tied the game in the second quarter when Decian Harrington returned an interception 32 yards for a Rams touchdown, knotting the score at six each.

Then, before the first half ended, Ratliff launched a beautiful arcing ribbon of a pass that was collected by teammate Kaiden Robins for a 41-yard Blue Hawks TD. A successful point after touchdown try put T Falls ahead 13-6

T Falls held that lead through halftime and into the early moments of the third quarter before Loyola tied the game on a 32 yard TD throw, then took the lead before the third quarter ended when their kicker, James Wolter, booted a 32-yard field goal.

Heading into the final quarter, Loyola led 16-13 until Harrington returned his second pick six of the game, giving the Missoula crew a 22-13 lead. They would add another late touchdown on a four-yard run in the waning moments of the game to secure the 28-13 win.

But this was no blow-out loss. This was T Falls in the game all the way, showing they are indeed capable of playing at this level and winning.

It has been said there is no good thing in defeat, no moral victory. But there are indicators and these were flashing all night that Thompson Falls football is on the right track back.

IN ANOTHER GAME THIS WEEKEND: Visiting Charlo bounced back from its losses to St. Ignatius and Superior by pummeling winless Plains 54-20 in Plains. No statistics were made available for the game.