| October 8, 2009
Polson’s first win over Whitefish puts the Pirates in the playoffs
Aaric Bryan/Valley Journal
Polson goalie Clay Frissell stretches out to make a diving stop in the first half against Whitefish Saturday. Frissell made six saves in the 1-0 victory.
By Aaric Bryan
Valley Journal
It took Albert Einstein years and thousands of failed math equations and experiments to figure out that time is relative – all it took for the Polson Pirates and their coach was a 40-minute half of soccer.
After watching his team hold on to a precarious 1-0 lead over the Bulldogs the entire second half to give the Pirates their first win over Whitefish in Polson history, Pirate coach Jess Kittle said it felt like two years had ticked off of his life.
After watching two years (or 40 minutes) of nerve-wracking soccer in Polson Saturday, Kittle was ready to celebrate and when the final whistle blew on the Pirates’ sixth shutout of the season, he erupted in celebration, running on the field to embrace his team.
For more of this story, click here
Lady Pirates remain undefeated with sweep of Loggers
Jim Blow/Valley Journal
Sallie Sams drives the ball through Whitefish's defense two weeks ago in Polson's second win of the season over the Bulldogs. Polson swept Libby on the road Saturday to improve to 5-0 in conference play, thanks in large part to Sams' 10-kill, 3-block performance.
Valley Journal
LIBBY — Middle hitter Jackie Mee proved to be as tough as expected, but she and the rest of the Lady Loggers couldn't overcome Polson's team attack.
The Lady Pirates kept their heads in winning two close games, then pulled away with authority in the third to win their fourth conference game on the road in Libby 25-22, 25-22, 25-16 last Saturday night. The victory kept Polson undefeated, 5-0 in Northwestern conference play and 6-0 overall.
It didn't start out that way, though. Polson found itself down 0-5 in the first game, struggling to pass the ball. But after a timeout, the Lady Pirates rattled off seven straight points and never got behind again.
Polson stayed in charge in the second game, putting up a good block on Mee, while the Pirate attack kept Libby off balance. Sallie Sams led Polson with 10 kills and three blocks.
"They didn't have a counter for Sallie ... she came out hitting the ball hard," Polson head coach Jan Toth said. "It was really fun to see her shine and see her so aggressive and confident at the net."
For more of this story, click here
Polson golf teams qualify for delayed state tournament
Jim Blow/Valley Journal
Amy Williamson eyes a putt at the Polson Invitational. Williamson shot a 190 in the Flatfish Tournament Friday and Saturday in Whitefish and Kalispell to help the Lady Pirates finish fifth.
By Jim Blow
Valley Journal
Polson’s golfers suddenly saw those summery days of September quickly blow out of the valley last week. Temperatures fell dramatically behind a stiff wind that, unfortunately, took its toll on golf scores.
Still the Polson team managed the elements fairly well at the divisional tournament on Thursday. Polson’s girls finished second as a team at 411, behind Whitefish at 377.
Polson had four medalists, led by Natalia Arlint in second place with a round of 91. BreAna Cameron of Whitefish won the tournament with an 83.
Amy Williamson was Polson’s second finisher at 107 to place sixth overall, followed by teammates Tammy Heftved in seventh at 107 and Kat Medland in eighth at 109.
“Natalia is a making a statement as being one of the better golfers in the conference by placing second. I’m looking forward to seeing what she can do at state,” Polson golf coach Bill Owen said. “That is a hard course, so that 91 is pretty good golf.”
Sydney and Billings Central are expected to be tough to beat at next week’s delayed state golf championship, but Owen is hoping his girls will be in the trophy hunt.
Polson’s boys placed third at 386, thus qualifying the entire team for the state tournament. As expected, Whitefish won the conference title at 330 and Columbia Falls was second at 373.
Cody Fischer led Polson with a second-place round of 85 and teammate Hayden Congdon was ninth at 91.
Dakota Jenson was one stroke out of medaling at 93, while Logan Howell finished at 117 and John Walk shot a 135.
“I feel like Cody and Hayden have made a statement about possibly medaling at state,” Owen said.
Both Polson squads competed in the Flatfish Tournament on Friday and Saturday, with rounds on courses in Whitefish and Kalispell. Unfortunately, the weather turned ugly with stiff winds on Saturday and the scores reflected the conditions.
For more of this story, click here
Chiefs stop Bulldogs on 2-point conversion for conference victory
Jim Blow/Valley Journal
Chief running back Cory Hardy hauls in a pass on a two-point conversion against Stevi in the second week of the season. The Chiefs stopped the Bulldogs on a two-point conversion to win 34-32 in Whitefish Friday.
Valley Journal
WHITEFISH — The Chiefs held on for a 34-32 victory over Whitefish Friday.
After jumping out to a 28-12 first-half lead, the Chiefs stopped the Bulldogs on a two-point conversion in the final minute of play to escape Whitefish with their first conference win of the season.
“It was a big thing for the kids. They played real well at times and they put themselves in position where they could win the game. We’ve been waiting for that since we got here,” Ronan coach Jim Benn said.
With the victory, the Chiefs improved to 3-3 and 1-1 in Northwestern A. Picking up their first conference win of the season wasn’t easy for the Chiefs, they had to overcome five turnovers, including a fumble on the Bulldogs’ one-yard line in the fourth quarter.
The Chiefs’ started the scoring on a 17-yard touchdown by Xavier Morigeau. The senior ran for 141 yards on 32 carries. Touchdown runs by Lucas Black and Jackson Jore gave the Chiefs what seemed to be a commanding 28-12 lead at halftime.
For more of this story, click here
More sports
Vikings force 8 turnovers in 58-0 win over Victor
Warriors run away from Red Devils in 2nd half
Bulldogs falter down stretch against Wolves
Lady Pirates tripped up in pair of soccer shutouts
Scarlets snag pair of volleyball victories
Lady Vikings extinguish Savage Heat in 4 games
Lady Bulldogs drop conference games to Bigfork, Eureka
Lady Eagles pick up 2nd win with sweep of Victor
Ronan qualifies three golfers for state
Personal-bests set by Arlee runners in Hamilton
Polson goes one-two at Hamilton cross country meet
Ronan boys post personal bests at Hamilton Invitational cross country meet |
.jpg)
