Hawks ready to battle state champs

The Thompson Falls Blue Hawks lost their homecoming matchup against the current No. 1 team in the state, the Bigfork Vikings. The Vikings showed off why they are the top-ranked team, leaving the Hawks with a final score of 6-65.

To start the game, the Hawks had a rough opening kick-off return, setting them back on their own 1-yard line. The Vikings were able to take advantage of this and force a safety on the very next play, starting the score at 0-2. The Vikings continued to pick up momentum on their first possession. A breakaway run put them within only 3-yards of the endzone, allowing them to force a run into the endzone, putting the score at 0-9. On the next Hawks possession, they were in punting position but a roughing the kicker penalty gave them enough yards to give them the first down they needed. The Viking defense was able to stop the Hawks on a fourth down and convert that into another touchdown bringing the score to 0-23.

On their next possession, the Hawks finally had a promising drive after a series of long breakaway throws. After one more long pass caught by Braxton Dorscher, the Hawks were able to put points up on the board, 6-23. The Vikings were able to answer with a quick touchdown of their own bringing the score up to 6-30. Unable to answer, the Hawks gave up the ball on a fourth down and the Vikings converted this into another touchdown, bringing the score up to 6-37. Before the end of the first half, the Vikings were able to score one more touchdown leaving the score 6-44 at halftime. "We actually had the best offensive production this season against them. We got the most first downs out of the last four games on Friday but couldn't sustain the drives as we crossed over midfield," said Thompson Head Coach Jared Koskela.

The Vikings continued their streak into the second half, scoring an early touchdown on a breakaway run leaving the score at 6-51. After being brought to a fourth down with 4-yards to the endzone, the Vikings lined up a field goal attempt but faked the kick, transforming the play into a touchdown pass, bringing the score up to 6-58. On the Hawk's next possession they threw an interception which the Viking's offense was able to turn into one final touchdown before the game ended with a score of 6-65.

"It's extremely humbling to be on the other end of the blowouts we were on the last couple of seasons. We were able to keep most of their varsity starters on the field because they were a little scared of our potential. Bigfork came into our homecoming game as the #1 ranked team according to 406sports.com and showed no mercy with their double enrollment numbers as ours," Koskela said. "This week's game is champion versus champion. Last year's 8-man state champs versus last year's class B 11-man state champs. The road hasn't been easy for us but we continue to fight and control what we can control."

Thompson Falls travelsto Florence on Friday to face the Falcons, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.