Billings Central 54, Libby 12
BILLINGS - If Billings Central is saving its best for last this football season, the Rams could make a nice playoff run.
Central (7-2) scored on its opening possession and led 21-0 midway through the first quarter Saturday on the way to a 54-12 opening-round playoff win over Libby (4-6) in Billings.
Kade Boyd opened the scoring with an eight-yard touchdown run, The Loggers fumbled on their first play from scrimmage and Central quickly took advantage when quarterback Adam Balkenbush hit Clay Oven over the middle for a circus catch touchdown.
The Rams took advantage of big special teams play as well. Later in the first quarter, Devon O'Neill blocked a punt before Boyd grabbed it out of the air and ran 15 yards for another a 21-0 lead after one.
Cy Stevenson put Libby on the board with 1:24 left in the half on a one-yard dive, but Central answered when Balkenbush hit Clay Oven over the top for a 44-yard score to make it 28-6 at halftime.
The Rams led 40-6 after three quarters before convincingly advancing to next week's Class A quarterfinal round when they travel to Polson.
Frenchtown 24, Whitefish 13
WHITEFISH— In a back-and-forth battle between two Western A teams, the visiting Frenchtown Broncs took a late lead and held on to beat Whitefish 24-14. With the win, the Broncs advanced to the Class A quarterfinals against Laurel.
Frenchtown's Garret Schmill got the Broncs on the board early with a rushing touchdown, and then the Broncs added a field goal to take a 10-0 lead into halftime.
Coming out of the half, Whitefish's Body Smith hauled in an incredible 30-yard pass for a touchdown for the Bulldogs' first points. On Whitefish’s next possession, quarterback Fynn Ridgeway snuck it in for the touchdown, and the Bulldogs would take the lead 13-10.
Whitefish would then attempt an onside kick, but it was unsuccessful, giving the Broncs good field position. On the same drive Frenchtown took advantage, with Noah Roasch punching in a short run to give the Broncs the lead for good at 24-13.
Class A scores
Miles City 21, Columbia Falls 20
Sidney 17, Dillon 14
