SKC Bison give North Idaho College a scare

North Idaho College needed a late surge to get past SKC for the 80-71 victory on Thursday night in Pablo. However, it was an evening that was about more than basketball as the Bison retired Marvin Hudson-Lewis' number with a ceremony before the game.

Lewis drowned earlier this year in South Dakota after helping lead the Bison to a AIHEC National Championship. Members of Lewis' family from Washington State and South Dakota were able to make the game and were part of the ceremony. 

The Bison took the floor with only four players and Lewis' jersey was put at center court for a ceremonial tip-off. Lewis was listed as an official starter for the Bison and appeared in the final box score for the game. 

SKC came out strong behind excellent three-point shooting and held a 18-14 lead midway through the first half. North Idaho College would go on a 10-0 to gain the lead but the Bison would go away and only trailed 38-31 at the half. 

The battle continued against the Cardinals in the second half and with 9:43 left in the contest, Dennis Sangrey hit a three to pull within four points of NIC at 54-50. The Cardinals would respond with an 8-0 run to take the 62-50 lead. The Bison would continue to fight and Ralston Moore hit two free throws to make it 74-69 NIC with two minutes to go but the Cardinals would finish out the game on a 6-2 run for the victory. 

D.J. Fish continued to showcase his skills, posting a double-double for SKC with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Moore had 19 points as well and Sangrey posted 11. Isiah Martin scored 12 points. The Bison's defense forced 24 NIC turnovers but their shooting was 39 percent from the field to the Cardinals' 53 percent. 

Against a perennial powerhouse in junior college basketball, the Bison played strong with NIC and their tough early-season schedule should get them geared up for Montana Tribal College Athletic Association play. SKC will travel to Dillon this weekend and play the University of Montana JV squad on Friday and Saturday. 

NIC 80, SKC 71

NIC - 38 - 42 - 80

SKC - 31 - 40 - 71

Bison Stats - 

Isaac Wal - 1 rebound

Ralston Moore - 19 points, 1 steal

Dennis Sangrey - 11 points, 2 steals

Sonny Eppinette - 2 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist

Trent Ashley - 2 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist

Isaiah Martin - 12 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 5 steals

DJ Kemmer - 3 points

DJ Fish - 15 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist

Jonathan Allen - 1 point, 1 assist

James Bible - 6 points, 1 rebound, 3 steals

NIC Stats -

Jordan McCloud - 11 points, 6 rebounds

Antoine Hosley - 7 points, 2 assists

Connor White - 5 points, 1 rebound 

Kwame Bates - 10 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal

Keon Lewis - 21 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists

Michael Middlebrooks - 13 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks

Edrico McGregor - 6 points, 6 rebounds

Tyrell Lewis - 6 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block, 1 assist, 1 steal

Kay Sherman - 1 point, 3 rebounds, 3 fouls

Here are photos from the game... click here to buy full prints from the game. 

Click on "Read More" to see the full gallery.

The best team in 22 years

Make sure you pick up this week's copy of the Leader, we tried to do things a bit differently and do a complete recap of the awesome season that the Ronan Chiefs have had. Coach Benn and his team has been competing in Class A for many years when their enrollment numbers clearly put them at a disadvantage against the much larger teams in the Northwestern A. However that didn't stop the Chiefs from beating NWA champ Columbia Falls last season.

Going into this season, Ronan faced numerous questions from the media and community on just how they would perform against the top teams in Class B. The result? One of the best teams in Ronan's history and certainly a season nobody will forget anytime soon.

Read the story here.

Leader Sports Report Episode Three

Here's the Leader Sports Report Episode Three, Dylan and Brandon talk about college football, Ronan football and Polson volleyball in this week's episode...



Leader Sports Report Episode 3 by Brandonwhansen

Thoughts on the Sandusky and Penn State case

Polson soccer player and occasional Leader columnist Riley Lemm shared his thoughts on the Sandusky scandal at Penn State on his blog, Mas Sports.

College sports are going crazy, by crazy I mean crazy screwed up.

If you havent turned on your TV or read your newspaper you might not know about the Penn St. mess. Penn St.’s defensive coordinator of the late 90′s, Jerry Sandusky, is under allegations that he molested 8 different boys. Sandusky was coaching under the legend Joe Paterno who was recently released from employment at Penn St., following pressure by the media.

Check out the full post here.

Two Lady Pirate volleyball players named to all-state team

(FROM THE DAILY INTER LAKE)

Regular season and Northwestern A divisional champion Polson placed two players on the Class A All-State volleyball team, while Whitefish and Libby both had one selection.

Named from Polson are senior Riley Kenney and junior Shalaina Duford.

Abby Strellnauer was Whitefish's all-state selection. Selinna Maefau was Libby's all-state pick.

Strellnauer and Maefau are both seniors.

Those four players also made the all-conference first team along with Shaun Rowe, a senior from Columbia Falls, and Marlow Schulz, a sophomore from Whitefish.

Second-team all-conference selections were: Josie Anderson, sophomore, Frenchtown; Kenzie Clay, senior, Polson; Lauren Wepprecht, junior, Libby; Emily Sullivan, freshman, Whitefish; Gabrielle Stenger, senior, Columbia Falls; and Taylor Peterson, junior, Columbia Falls.

Honorable mention all-conference selections were: Kelsey McFadden, junior, Whitefish; Heidi Rausch, junior, Polson; Ashley Johnson, senior, Polson; and MacKenzie Banner, junior, Polson.

Polson and Whitefish advanced to the Class A State Volleyball Tournament.

Conservation group worries about park funding cuts

Here's a story from Jim Mann of the Daily Inter Lake as he talks about how the potential US Government deficit could affect Glacier National Park and in turn the local economy of the communities around Flathead Lake.

The National Parks Conservation Association is sounding an alarm over the potential impacts on parks if the so-called congressional “supercommittee” fails to develop a plan for trimming $1.2 trillion from the federal budget over the next 10 years.

If the committee of 12 lawmakers fails to do so by a Nov. 23 deadline, a mechanism in the legislation that established the process in August would initiate $1.2 trillion in across-the-board federal spending cuts.

The association calculates that could result in 9 percent cuts to National Park Service budgets, or about $231 million.

“If the supercommittee process fails, there will be real consequences for our national parks, jobs, visitors, and communities across the country,” said Craig Obey, NPCA’s senior vice president of government affairs. “The federal deficit debate should be about smart budgeting that strengthens communities, produces jobs and protects the heritage that binds us as a national community.”

In a report released last week, the organization stresses the importance of national parks as economic engines that support and define surrounding communities.

Glacier National Park is the namesake for more than 150 businesses in the Flathead Valley and the park has an estimated economic impact of at least $2.5 billion, according to research conducted by state tourism officials about eight years ago.

“Glacier’s impact to our economy is enormous, there’s no doubt about that,” said Michael Jamison, Crown of the Continent program manager for the association. “And now we’re asking the community to return the favor by supporting the park that supports the economy. It’s a two-way street.”

You can read the full story on the Inter Lake's website here.

Ronan falls to Malta 31-27

(From wire reports)

MALTA – Senior halfback Jade Olson rushed for 270 yards and two touchdowns as Malta defeated the Ronan Chiefs 31-27 Saturday afternoon in a Class B semifinal game.

Malta, which improved to 11-0, led 31-13 before the Chiefs rallied in the final two quarters.

Ronan quarterback Robbie Gauthier hurt the Mustangs time and again through the air in the final two quarters. In the closing minutes, the Chiefs drove deep into Malta territory. But Gauthier’s fourth-down pass in the end zone fell incomplete.

Gauthier passed for 271 yards in the second half as the Chiefs rallied.

Ronan (8-3) outgained Malta 435-385 as Gauthier completed 22 of 28 passes for 318 yards. He was picked off twice.

Ronan - 7 - 0 - 6 - 14 -- 27
Malta - 0 - 21 - 10 - 0 -- 31

Ronan - Jack Humphreys 6-yard run (Leo Michelin kick)
Malta - Kaden Bedwell 24-yard pass from Kendall Denham (Dalton Brookie kick)
Malta - Jade Olson 5-yard run (Brookie kick)
Malta - Olson 3-yard run (Brookie kick)
Malta - Brookie 37-yard field goal
Ronan - Jake Skelton 1-yard run (kick failed)
Malta - Olson 61-yard run (Brookie kick)
Ronan - Skelton 3-yard run (pass failed)
Ronan - Carsten Barch 36-yard pass from Robbie Gauthier (Marcus Hungerford pass from Gauthier)

Daily Inter Lake Article on Polson volleyball

Here's a write-up from Dixie Knutson of the Daily Inter Lake about Polson's run in the Class A state tournament. It has some good insight from Lady Pirates' head coach Jan Toth and also talks about Whitefish's exit from the tournament.

Click here for the article. 

Polson volleyball bows out of the state tournament

Polson battled to the very end, but had their season wrap up in the second day of the Class A State tournament on Friday after a 3-1 loss to Billings Central in a loser-out matchup. The Lady Pirates went 1-2 in the tournament and capped off their fourth-straight trip to Bozeman and their second-straight conference championship.

Billings Central 3, Polson 1
25-20, 22-25, 25-15, 25-15
The Lady Pirates showed balance in their attack, with three different players getting an impressive number of kills, but they couldn't get past Billings Central to extend their season in a 3-1 loss. Ashley Johnson (14), Heidi Rausch (10) and Kenzie Clay (9) combined for a monster-like performance in kills for Polson.

The Lady Rams used large runs to put down the Lady Pirates. In the first game with everything tied at 10-10, Billings Central went on a 10-4 run to take a commanding lead. They would go on to win 25-20.

In the second set, thing were tight the entire way before Polson scored the last three points for the 25-22 victory. Things were also close in the third match and both teams were tied 15-15 before the Lady Rams went on a 10-0 run to win the match.

In the fourth and deciding match, things were tied 8-8 but Billings Central outscored the Lady Pirates 17-7 the rest of the way for the victory.

Shalaina Duford was her usual wonderful self out on the volleyball court, notching 34 assists and 21 digs. Showcasing Polson's awesome defense were three other players in double-digit digs: Riley Kenney (17), MaCall Banner (15) and Mackenzie Banner (15).

Polson 3, Hamilton 2
21-25, 26-24, 25-27, 25-15, 15-12
It was an early-morning thriller for the Lady Pirates as they came from behind in the fifth set to knock Hamilton out of the Class A State Tournament. Polson had four girls in double-digit kills in the 3-2 victory, led by Riley Kenney with 15.

While Hamilton won the first set 25-21, thanks to a 7-1 run midway through the game, Polson bounced back in the second stanza by going on a 10-0 run to gain the 20-14 lead and they held on for the extra-points 26-24 victory.

The third set went into extra points too, but Hamilton won that one 27-25. It appeared they might upend the Lady Pirates in the tournament but Polson won the fourth game 25-15.

In the thrilling fifth set, Hamilton had the 10-5 lead, but the Lady Pirates went on a improbable 10-2 run to win the match.

Shalania Duford had an eye-popping 49 assists, and the Lady Pirates defense was just as impressive. Duford had 33 digs, Mackenzie Banner had 29 and Macall Banner had 20.

The win moved the Pirates on in the bracket against Billings Central.

Belgrade 3, Polson 2
19-25, 17-25, 25-20, 27-25, 15-11
Kenzie Clay and Riley Kenney both had eight kills, Heidi Rausch had 4 blocks and Mackenzie Banner had 28 digs but it just wasn't enough and the Lady Pirates were downed in five sets in the first round of the Class A State Tournament.

After defeating Belgrade 25-19 and 25-17 in the first two games of the match, Belgrade won the third 25-20 and won rather controversially 27-25 in the fourth game. Polson had a match point overturned in that match by the officials. The momentum would carry on to the fifth game for Belgrade and they would win 15-11 for the match.

Shalaina Duford had 28 assists in the game.

The loss sent Polson to an early-morning (10 a.m. so early by journalist standards) matchup against Hamilton.

NOTE: Whitefish, also from the Northwestern A conference went 0-2 in the state tournament.

Here are some photos from the game... you can buy the full-sized prints here.

Click on "Read More" to see the full gallery.

10-C All-conference volleyball teams

Here are the 10-C all-conference teams and as you can see there are plenty of Lake County representatives on the list. Charlo's Dawn Blevins and Kinley Pope were also named to the All-State team as well.

All-Conference
First Team
Dawn Blevins - Charlo
Kinley Pope - Charlo
Kaitlynn Koke - Superior
Nicole Stroot - Superior
Cary Chamberlain - Superior
Cortney Dix - Arlee
Whitney Malatare - Arlee


Second Team
Ashley Blaylock - Superior
Alyssa Foster - Hot Springs
Rachel Hoyt - Charlo
Deondra Brown - Charlo
Julianna Spencer - St. Regis
Arianna Jones - St. Regis
Alex Green - Hot Springs

Honorable Mention
Shanny King - Hot Springs
Hannah Retallick - Hot Springs
Mahalia Hendren - Arlee
Jordyn Wilkinson - Noxon
Kimmy Marich - Noxon

Leader Sports Report Episode Two

Here is the second episode of the Leader Sports Report. We talk about how Dylan is the bad luck reporter, the unfair ranking of Boise State in football, an NFL mid-season reporter and Brandon's hatred towards Gonzaga. We also run through all the local Lake County sports as well. Enjoy!


Leader Sports Report Episode2 by Brandonwhansen

Polson volleyball wins NWA Championship

Coming off the bench, Jessica Hoel provided the spark that Polson needed and showcased just what kind of depth the Lady Pirates have going into the state tournament next weekend in Bozeman. Hoel had 12 kills and senior Ashley Johnson had 13 to power Polson to a 3-1 victory over Whitefish for the NWA Divisional championship.

It will be the fourth straight time that the Lady Pirates are headed to the state tournament after they clinched their postseason berth with a win over the Bulldogs last night.

In the championship match, Polson won the first game 25-18 but the Lady Bulldogs would even things up with a second set 23-25 victory. The Lady Pirates then went on to win the next two matches 25-17 and 25-23 for the NWA title.

While Johnson and Hoel provided the firepower, Shalaina Duford was all over the court with 41 assists, four aces and 22 digs. At the net, Kenzie Clay dominated with four blocks, and Mackenzie Banner was unflappable with 31 digs.

Check out this week's Leader on Thursday for the full story on Polson's championship!

Northwestern A Divisional Championship
Polson def. Whitefish 25-18, 23-25, 25-17, 25-23
Kills — Whitefish 44 (Abby Strellanuer 17, Emily Sullivan 15), Polson 57 (Ashley Johnson 13, Jessica Hoel 12); Assists — Whitefish 42 (Taylor Havens 39), Polson 45 (Shalaina Duford 41); Blocks — Whitefish 3 (Havens 1, Baylee Tveidt 1, Sullivan 1), Polson 9 (Kenzie Clay 4); Digs — Whitefish 47 (Ryan Chauner 8, Kelsey McFadden 7), Polson 99 (Mackenzie Banner 31, Duford 22); Aces — Whitefish 7 (Tveidt 4, Shelia Murphy 2), Polson 9 (Duford 4, Johnson 2, Heidi Rausch 2).

Here are photos from the match... you can buy full prints from the Leader here.

Click on "Read More" to see the full gallery.

Football: Pirates season comes to an end

In a classic slugfest between two virtually even-matched teams, the fourth-ranked Custer County Cowboys knocked out the previously-undefeated, fifth-ranked Polson Pirates 7-6 in Polson on Saturday afternoon.

The defenses from both sides reigned supreme throughout, with the Pirate D forcing punt after punt, while the Cowboys were able to force turnovers from Polson's offense.

Quarterback Vince DiGiallonardo put Polson on the board toward the end of the first quarter, scoring on an 8-yard touchdown run, but after a penalty, the extra point was no good, giving the Pirates a 6-0 lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, Custer County went 80 yards for a touchdown and, after the deciding extra point, led 7-6.

Nobody in Polson figured those would be the final points of the game, but had they known how the defenses would play, might have thought differently.

At the end of the second quarter, with the Cowboys driving, Pirate defensive lineman Eric Williamson recovered a fumble, allowing Polson to head to the locker room down only one.

Pirate drive after Pirate drive would head into Custer County territory, but they couldn't regain the lead. DiGiallonardo lost a fumble with 2:25 left in the third quarter before Polson had their best opportunity of the game. After a series of good runs by Paul McClurg, the Pirates had a goal-to-go situation, but a 23-yard field goal missed wide right with 4:55 left.

It wasn't Polson's last chance. The defense allowed a pair of first downs on Custer County's next possession, but got the stop when they needed to, giving the ball back to the offense at midfield with 1:48 left.

A pass interference call got the Pirates to the Cowboy 35 before DiGiallonardo hit Will Davey for 18 yards to get the ball into the red zone and close to field goal range. DiGiallonardo then scampered for three yards before fumbling, but the ball was recovered by Polson. Justin Hoel then reeled in an 8-yard grab from DiGiallonardo with under a minute left to give the Pirates the ball on the 6 with a half a minute to go.

DiGiallonardo tried to hit Davey for the game-winning touchdown, but the Cowboys were able to intercept the pass, ending the game and Polson's season.

Here are photos from the game... you can purchase prints of the photos from the Leader here.

Click on "Read More" to see the full gallery.

Polson clinches state playoff berth

BY ERIC SCHWARTZ/DAILY INTER LAKE

WHITEFISH — When the Polson Pirates dropped the opening set to the Whitefish Bulldogs Friday at the Northwestern A volleyball divisionals, coach Jan Toth had a simple, strong and direct message for her players.

“I just told them the game wasn’t over,” Toth said.

“I said if Whitefish is going to beat us, they’re going to have to do it the hard way. Because we don’t stop fighting. My girls know how to win.”

The Pirates put that knowledge on display in the final three sets, dropping a tenacious and relentless Whitefish team 25-19, 25-20, 25-22 to render the 15-25 loss in the opening set moot.

The win sends Polson to the NWA championship match today. Whitefish heads to the loser-out bracket where it will face the winner of a game between Columbia Falls and Frenchtown for a trip to the championship.

The Pirates (12-2 overall) earned their fourth consecutive All-Class State Volleyball tournament berth with the victory.

Toth thinks the loud and boisterous Whitefish crowd will help prepare Polson for the atmosphere that awaits them at the tournament in Bozeman.

It also might be one of the reasons the Pirates were slow out of the gate Friday.

“We just had to play our tempo of volleyball and just settle,” Toth said. “We were nervous ... This is a big crowd. To play in Whitefish and to play above the noise of the crowd is kind of like playing in the state tournament.”

The play of Whitefish (6-8) likely had just as much of an impact.

“Whitefish is tremendous,” Toth said. “They have huge hearts. They never let anything die.”

The Bulldogs stormed back midway through the first set after finding themselves down 14-10. They rattled off eight consecutive points behind the serving of Kelsey McFadden and outscored the Pirates 15-1 down the stretch to earn the win.

“Overall, I think we served very well,” Whitefish coach Sarah Scott said. “Kelsey McFadden definitely helped take Polson out of its comfort zone.”

It didn’t take long for the Pirates to get their groove back.

Polson built a 24-13 lead in the second set, but as would become a theme, Whitefish came charging back. The Bulldogs posted six consecutive points but ultimately fell 25-19.

The Pirates controlled the tempo for much of the third set and grinded out a 25-20 win before repeating the process again in the form of a 25-22 victory that came down to the wire.

One difference maker for Polson was the play of junior hitter Heidi Rausch. She totaled two aces, five blocks and 13 kills to lead the Pirates.

“She had the game of her life,” Toth said. “I think she was tremendous.”

Toth likewise lauded the play of MaCall Banner who, while not a statistical leader, provided a spark for the Pirates.

“She was a tremendous leader and that was the best game she has played,” Toth said. “She read the hitters and she took some huge, huge digs back there.”

The win means that the team that moves on to the championship — be it Whitefish, Frenchtown or Columbia Falls — will have to beat Polson twice to eliminate it from the tournament.

The first game is set for 4 p.m. with a second game, if necessary, set for 6 p.m.

The top two finishers at divisionals earn trips to the state tournament, which begins Thursday.

“It lets us have a little bit of comfort,” Toth said of her team’s undefeated tournament status. “But we’re never comfortable. Pirate volleyball is never satisfied. The girls went to the locker room and said ‘no way. It was sweet to win but tomorrow we’ve got to be ready.’”

Semifinal
Polson def. Whitefish 15-25, 25-19, 25-20, 25-22
Aces — Polson 8 (Ashley Johnson 3, Heidi Rausch 2, Kenzie Clay 2), Whitefish 6 (Kelsey McFadden 2); Kills — Polson 37 (Rausch 12, Johnson 7, Tina Marquardt 7), Whitefish 35 (Emily Sullivan 15, Abby Strellnauer 9); Assists — Polson 35 (Shalaina Duford 30), Whitefish 34 (Taylor Havens 28); Blocks — Polson 6 (Heidi Rausch 5), Whitefish 14 (Baylee Tveidt 5, Marlow Schulz 4); Digs — Polson 86 (Duford 27, Riley Kenney 15), Whitefish 32 (Xerox 10, Ryan Chauner 7)

Second Round
Polson def. Columbia Falls 25-22, 25-16, 20-25, 25-15
Aces — Polson 11 (Heidi Rausch 4), Columbia Falls 5 (Erika Nelson); Kills — Polson 43 (Riley Kenney 12), Columbia Falls 29 (Haley Belgrade 8); Assists — Polson 31 (Shalaina Duford 33), Columbia Falls 21 (Burlage 14); Blocks — Polson 4 (Kenzie Clay 2), Columbia Falls 7 (NA); Digs — Polson 64 (Kenney 15), Columbia Falls 83 (NA).

Here are photos from the game... You can buy full prints of these photos from the Lake County Leader here.

Click on "Read More" to see the full galley and to buy full prints of photos.

Ronan vs. Baker playoff football preview

ROAD WARRIORS
BY BRANDON HANSEN/Leader sports editor

Ronan has been here before.

Last year when the Chiefs (7-2) were still in Class A, they went into their final game of the season against a very talented and very fast Columbia Falls team. Running back Nate Thompson had come into the matchup with much fanfare for the Wildcats, having rushed for more than 1,600 yards in the season.

That didn't discourage Ronan any. They came up with the upset win over the eventual Northwestern A champs 28-20 after quarterback Robbie Gauthier hit Cole McArthur for a touchdown pass with 14 seconds left. For the most part, they were able to contain Thompson's big-play ability.

This Saturday the stakes are much higher as it's the Class B quarterfinals but the look from the other team is the same. Ronan's second round opponent Baker has a running back in Kodee Varner that is rumored to be able to break the sound barrier. Last spring he won the state championship in the 100-meter dash and last week he scored three touchdowns as Baker defeated Columbus 28-0.

"We've been really preparing for the run," Ronan running and defensive back Jack Humphreys said.

Senior Dalton Molzhon added that the team has been doing plenty of pursuit drills, meaning the Chiefs should be able to swarm to the ball.

"We hope [Varner] wont get free from us running," Ronan linebacker Robert Faoa said.

Ronan will be traveling to Varner's home turf, over 600 miles away near the North Dakota border. The game-time atmosphere should be electric as Baker has a legacy of football - four state championships in the 2000s. It's something that Chiefs' head coach Jim Benn knows all too well since he coached Huntley Project, which was at one time in the same district as Baker.

But again, Ronan has been here before. It has seemed for the entire season, the Chiefs have been matched up against highly touted Class B opponents and for the most part they've downed those opponents.

And the road trip? Well the players certainly aren't worried about it.

"I was happy and excited to get off the school time and play football," Faoa said during Wednesday's practice.

In fact, the only thing they're complaining about is that they don't get to play on the Ronan rug - one of only four artificial fields in the state.

"We don't get to play on this turf," Humphreys said. "When we played Florence this season (a 31-14 loss) the conditions were very muddy. It was hard to prepare for things like that."

While Baker is the No. 1 3B seed, both teams are very similar to one another. Ronan has rushed for over 3,000 yards this season behind an offense line that could probably scale the Alps.

"They never get the glory but they work very hard," Humphreys said.

With bad weather reports in the near future, running the ball might be the only method of picking up yards. When it gets to be November in the Big Sky state, images of the Green Bay Packers' icy tundra immediately comes to mind.

"Weather is the great equalizer," Benn said. "In Montana, you pretty much have to run the football because you need an all-weather offense."

Obviously, the Chiefs will be focused on stopping the Baker running attack. Anyone who has watched Ronan this season knows they can be stingy with giving up yards on the ground. So that, more than the weather, might be the ultimate equalizer.

"The big thing is having people do their jobs," Benn said. "Not to worry about what a single player is doing. It's 11-on-11. It's a team game, and we have a lot of good kids that can run the ball. They have to stop us too."

Benn added that at this point of the season, the tough part of preparing his team for the next game is keeping things fresh for a group of kids that have been playing football since August.

"The hard thing is battling the monotony of practice in November," he said.

However, if there's a group of kids that can stay focused, it's the Chiefs. On the bus ride back from their first-round playoff win over Big Timber, Benn said not a single player rode back with parents or friends. They all chose to ride on the bus together.

This Saturday they'll be facing a tough Baker team with a speedster at running back hundreds of miles from home. But they probably have the best advantage of all.

They'll be together.

Polson Pirates playoff football video

Here's a video to get you pumped up for Polson's home playoff game this Saturday against Custer County. Go Pirates!

Leader Sports Report Episode One

It's here ladies and gentlemen! The first ever Leader Sports Report podcast. Leader Reporter Dylan Kitzan and I decided to put together this little number and hopefully more are to come. This week we talk about upcoming playoff games, Dylan's fandom of the San Francisco 49ers, long road trips and what the heck we're going to do this winter with the NBA on strike.


Leader Sports Report Episode 1

Something we've noticed...

Class A Boys soccer state championship game photos

Here are photos from Polson's trip to the Class A Boys Soccer State Championship game. While they lost 3-0 to Whitefish, they still had an awesome season and have been the most successful team in the past two years in Class A. Coach Kittle, Moll, the players, the parents and the Polson community have a lot to be proud about. They represented the area very, very well.

Click on "Read More" to see the full gallery.