Gallatin and Polo varsity football teams enter Friday night’s game with the realization that something has to give.
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The Bulldogs open Class 1, District 14 against Polo in their final home game of the season on Friday. The Panthers, who enter the game at 2-5, were shut out by South Harrison last week, 35-0.
Like Gallatin, Polo owns 2008 victories over both Tarkio and Albany. The Bulldogs need to build some momentum heading into the season finale against a powerful and unbeaten Hamilton team. Their next two games, including the Oct. 24 trip to Maysville are pivotal to chances of making the playoffs. Maysville has rebounded, somewhat, from a 1-3 start to win two of its last three games, including a 33-6 victory last Friday over Albany.
King City’s running game proved to be a load for the Bulldog defense. Justin Sprague rushed for three of four Wildkat touchdowns and helped his team control the football with 258 yards on the ground.
Playing from behind put pressure on a Bulldog offense that has struggled to find consistency. Two touchdowns called back because of penalties also didn’t help GHS efforts.
"We wanted to get our running game going early and get on top early so we could control the clock and keep their offense off of the field," Gallatin head coach Jeff White said. "We were able to run early with all our backs averaging four plus yards a carry," he added. "Unfortunately, we had some penalties and a fumble that killed our drives early on."
King City struck twice on the scoreboard in the second period with runs of three and 87 yards by Sprague. Matt Atkinson made it a one-possession game with a six-yard scoring run for the Bulldogs, but the Dogs were looking for more.
"We had a punt return right before halftime break for a touchdown that would have given us a little more momentum going into the half, but it was called back because of a blocking in the back penalty," said Coach White. "After watching film, I cannot see where the penalty came from," he added. "There were two blocks that could have been questionable, but both were clean. Of course, the officials don’t have the advantage of watching film," he added.
King City’s Cody Cochran opened third quarter scoring with a one-yard run. Gallatin battled back with three of the last four scores, but could not convert the needed PATs.
"Our second half adjustments were pretty simple," said Coach White. "We just told our kids to start doing what they are coached to do," he added. "Offensively, they were playing man coverage and could not keep up with our receivers, so we took advantage of that in the passing game."
Colton Selby, who finished with four catches totaling 160 yards, nabbed touchdown passes of 65 and 88 yards from Hefley in the third quarter. Selby also chalked up 13 tackles on the defensive side of the ball.
"Selby had another great game," his coach said, "and definitely left it all out on the field. Colton is a great athlete that we can put in a variety of situations and he will perform well, " he added. "Our kids played hard as always and they never quit."
Gallatin added a late TD on a three-yard run. The Bulldogs had a chance for a go ahead touchdown but could not make a connection when a pass to Selby was picked off and the Wildkats were able to run out the clock.