Chiefs shock Columbia Falls in season finale
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COLUMBIA FALLS — A last-minute touchdown was the difference Friday as a 20-yard toss from Robbie Gauthier to Cole McArthur vaulted the Chiefs to a 28-20 upset of Columbia Falls.
The winning touchdown came with 14 seconds to play in the contest as Ronan downed the top ranked team in the Northwest Class A Conference.
"We just went out and played football. That's how we were able to get this win," Chiefs' head coach Jim Benn said. "We came out in a bit of a different set than we have been and I don't think they were able to adjust. It really worked out for us."
The Wildcats grabbed the lead early in the opening quarter on an 8-yard run by Nate Thompson but the PAT try failed.
Ronan answered with a 16-yard run into the end zone by Gauthier, but a failed 2-point attempt left the game tied at six.
The Chiefs rattled off 14 more unanswered points as Jack Humphreys scored on an 8-yard run later in the opening quarter and Gauthier scored on a 1-yard run in the second frame. Gauthier found McArthur with a 2-point conversion pass to put Ronan up 20-6.
Columbia Falls was able to cut into the lead with a 5-yard run by Thompson and a 2-point pass from Austin Barth to Kaleb Johnson to leave Ronan up 20-14 at the half.
The Wildcats were able to tie the game at 20 with a 4-yard run by Thompson with 1:14 to play, but the ensuing kickoff bounced out of bounds, giving the Chiefs excellent field position at the 35-yard line to set up the game-winning drive.
Five Chief runners finished the game with 30 yards or more as Ronan was content to spread the ball around on offense.
"We were able to spread the ball around a lot and keep them on their toes," Benn said. "They couldn't take everything we were doing away from us and that really helped us win."
Gauthier led the way with 95 rushing yards and another 69 through the air. Dallas Jore added 74 yards and another six receiving, Lucas Black had 70 on the ground and 18 receiving, Humphreys finished with 44 rushing yards and 18 receiving, Robert Faoa had 35 on the ground, McArthur had 27 receiving yards and Toby Cheff added 13 rushing yards.
For the Chiefs, the win was a good way to end a season that saw them narrowly miss the playoffs.
"It's great that we were able to end the season on a high note. That doesn't always get to happen," Benn said.
Ronan finishes the season 5-4 overall and 2-2 in conference play.
Summary
Ronan 28, Columbia Falls 20
Ronan12808–28
Col. Falls6806–20
CF - Nate Thompsonb 8 run (kick failed)
R - Robbie Gauthier 16 run (kick failed)
R - Jack Humphreys 8 run (pass failed)
R - Gauthier 1 run (Cole McArthur pass from Gauthier)
CF - Thompson 5 run (Kaleb Johnson pass from Austin Barth)
CF - Thompson 4 run (kick failed)
R - McArthur 20 pass from Gauthier (Gauthier run)
