Hawks 'ruthless' against Mission

Trae Thilmony started off Thompson Falls with a 20-yard run then another five to make a touchdown in last Saturday's game against the Mission Bulldogs. The senior's score was just the first of what Thompson Falls High School football coach Jared Koskela called "ruthless." Thompson Falls came out on top, 63-6, bulldozing the Bulldogs. By the end of the first quarter, the Hawks were up 14 -6 and had tripled that score by halftime to 44-6. Thilmony would go on to gain 74 yards over the course of the game, with junior Elijah Ratliff just behind, rushing a total of 71 yards. Ratliff scored three touchdowns, as did senior Ryan Bucher.

According to Thompson Falls High School Athletic Director Jake Mickelson, this game was forecast to be one of their toughest matchups of the season. "The back half of our season is looking pretty light," he said, explaining that the two toughest teams on the docket were supposed to be Mission and Superior. With both being home games, Thompson Falls has the added advantage of playing both on their own soil. According to coach Koskela, "the tie breaker is that we don't play Flint Creek." Koskela said that if they go a season without playing their rivals at Flint Creek, they usually end up breaking even with them.

The game was almost canceled as smoke hung heavy in the air on Friday. Mickelson explained that they were not sure if they could play because of the air quality, so the school delayed kickoff for an hour. An intermittent rain moved in and helped clear the air, so the teams went ahead with the game.

With the Blue Hawks in high spirits, they go on to face Superior this week. "We won it, and we're hungry," said Koskela, assuring that his team has the momentum to do well this year. The game will be held at Thompson Falls High School this Friday with kickoff at 7 p.m.