Sports

sport shorts

Story and photos by Porter Counts Valley Journal

Football

Mission

ST IGNATIUS — The Mission Bulldogs hosted the Ennis Mustangs in the second round of the Montana Class C-8 playoffs on Nov. 5, winning 36-27. Ennis scored three times in the first quarter to lead the Bulldogs 20-0. Quarterback Kellen McClure opened the scoring for the Bulldogs in the second quarter with a rushing touchdown, his first of two. The Mustangs responded in the next drive with another touchdown of their own to end the first half up 27-8. Canyon Sargent rushed for the first score of the third quarter to close the gap to a two possession game and Bryce Umphrey rushed for the first of his two touchdowns to end the third quarter 22-27. To open the fourth quarter, McClure rushed for his second of the game and put the Bulldogs up 30-27. After a strong defensive hold, Ennis turned over the ball on downs. Mission took advantage and Umphrey rushed for his second touchdown to ensure the Bulldogs would move onto the semifinals. Mission next face the Fairview Warriors on Nov. 12, location TBA.

see page 13

Polson Pirate football

slices of life

from page 11 they aren’t aware of your feelings.) Take a risk.

Go out to eat and order your favorite dish or maybe try something you’ve never eaten before. Cook in your own kitchen but do it with passion and from scratch.

Bake homemade cookies or a meal of comfort food and share them with a friend. Create a new recipe and don’t worry about it failing. If it does, laugh and give yourself credit for trying.

Paint - a wall, a canvas, your nails or the town red.

Dance in your living room or in public. Sing karaoke.

Take a nap.

Watch a sappy movie, or an action flick. Take your pick.

Give a heart-felt compliment to a random stranger.

Read a book on spirituality, meditation, mindfulness or self help. Read a romance novel. Read one of the great classics. Read the comics. Read whatever makes your heart sing.

Write a letter to your former or future self. Review any life regrets and tell yourself that you’ve always done the best you can with what you have, because it’s the truth.

Spend an afternoon with your dog or cat on your lap or lying at your feet.

Make something with your hands - paint, sculpt, sew, build. Don’t say, “I can’t” or “I never learned to…” Just do it.

Take time to appreciate - the air, trees, birds, wood, grass - all the world around you.

Volunteer for a charity you believe in. March for a good cause.

Get out. Do.

Reach out. Make a connection.

Smile. At a friend, at a stranger, at yourself in the mirror.

Look inward. Reflect. Meditate. Pray. Journal. Give thanks. Be glad that you are you.

Indulge in unencumbered time. Call it what you want: wasted time, leisure time, meditative time, a vacation from realty or just the weekend.

Do it unapologetically and with abandon, because it is time spent “just” for you.

Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright and author. Don’t miss a slice; follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.

from page 12

Polson

POLSON — The Pirates football team held off the Laurel Locomotives in the quarterfinals of the Montana Class A playoffs on Nov. 5, winning 14-7. Both teams struggled with the harsh weather conditions, but the Locomotives were the first on the board. Laurel quarterback Gus Robertus rushed for the Locomotives only touchdown in the first quarter. Polson quarterback Jarrett Wilson threw a 27-yard touchdown in the second to Keene Jaren to even the score at half time. Wilson, who had 208-yards passing and 98-yards rushing on the day, won the game in the last 30 seconds of the fourth quarter with a quarterback sneak. Polson next take on the Fergus Eagles in the penultimate game of the season, Nov. 12 at 1 p.m.

see page 14

BOB GUNDERSON PHOTO Polson Lady Pirate Lucy Violett slams a kill over the net during divisional tournament play last weekend. The Lady Pirates claimed the divisional title and will enter the state tournament as the top Western A seed. (See next page.)

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PORTER COUNTS / VALLEY JOURNAL Polson Pirate quarterback Jarrett Wilson runs the ball down the field. Wilson was recently named a $1,000 Heisman High School Scholarship winner. (See related story on page 17.)

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from page 13

Volleyball

Polson

EAST HELENA — The Polson Lady Pirates cruised through the Western Class A Divisional tournament, winning all four of their matches and will be the top western seed heading to the State Class A Tournament in Bozeman. Polson played the Corvallis Blue Devils in their opening match, winning 3-0. Samantha Rensvold led the team with nine kills, and Lucy Violet had eight of her own to lead the Lady Pirates to 25-19, 25-10, 25-15 wins and move onto the next round.

The Lady Pirates next took on the Whitefish Bulldogs in the second round of the tournament. The Bulldogs came out on fire, winning the opening game 28-26, but Polson wasn’t to be stopped, winning three games straight to move onto the semifinals of the tournament. Polson had an all around great team effort with Clara Todd leading the team with eight kills, and Hannah Simpson, Lucy Violett and Samantha Rensvold adding seven more each.

In the semifinals, Polson faced the Hamilton Broncs in what was a battle of a match. The Broncs won the first game 26-24, only for the Pirates to win the second 25-21. Hamilton ran away with the third game, 25-15, in what looked like the end of the Pirates season. Polson wouldn’t give in and won the fourth game 25-20, sending the match to the fifth and final game.

Polson buckled down and won the shortened game 15-12 to clinch their place in the championship against Stevensville. In the championship match, Polson and Stevensville pushed each other back and forth with both teams desperate to be division champs and the top western seed at the state tournament. The Yellowjackets went ahead in the first game and didn’t look back, winning 25-23. Polson stormed back in the second winning 25-20.

Stevensville won the third and Polson took the fourth, setting up a tie break to decide the tournament. The Lady Pirates went won 15-11, taking the division title back to Polson. The Pirates next head to Bozeman as the top western seed in the Class A State tournament, facing Billings Central in the opening match on Nov. 10 at 10 a.m.

BOB GUNDERSON PHOTO Members of the Polson volleyball divisional championship team are: (front) Sierra Perez, Clara Todd, Julia Barnard, Grace Simonich, Lucy Violett, Samantha Rensvold, Mgr. Tiana Walker, (back row) Asst. Coach Bonnie Klein, Head Coach Lizzy Cox, Avery Starr, Hannah Simpson, Vivian Lazaro, Carli Maley, Mckenna Hanson, Izzy Fyant, Mgr. Gabriella Llac, Mgr. Kellyn Nelson, Asst. Coach Mariah Newell.

BOB GUNDERSON PHOTO Ronan Maiden Jase Frost makes a kill at the Western A Divisional Volleyball tournament last weekend. Ronan volleyball, under the direction of head coach Lacey Phelan, ended up taking 4th at the tournament.

Polson Middle School supports students

News from the Polson School District

POLSON — The Polson Middle School 2022-2023 school year is off to a fantastic start. We currently have 524 students enrolled in fifth through eighth grades. The large enrollment has created some challenging management issues. To accommodate the large number of seventh and eighth graders, we moved from two lunches to three separate lunch times. The additional lunch eliminates some of the logistical challenges for the kitchen staff, keeps the cafeteria at capacity and creates a less hectic environment conducive for students to eat and socialize with their peers. The school is also opening the doors at 7:50 a.m. to accommodate the changes in the bus schedule, which has resulted in students being dropped off early at the school.

Polson Middle School is always looking for ways to support the students in their academics. We have two different opportunities with the implementation of a new ELA curriculum and after school programming. The staff is working hard to successfully implement the new curriculums and has ongoing training for StudySync (grades six-eight) and Wonders (grade five). This vertical alignment of the ELA curriculum provides our students more opportunities for success throughout their schooling. The after-school program will give students the opportunity to have extra help with their academics. The program started on Oct. 24 and runs from 3:45-4:45 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. This program will be held in Mrs. Roger’s (room eight) and Mr. DiGiallonardo’s (room six) classrooms. The district is working on transportation, but at this time no buses are running in conjunction with the after-school program.

During the month of October, we were fortunate to be able to experience a cultural activity with an assembly at the high school auditorium featuring the Fubuki Daiko Japanese drummers. The students and staff really enjoyed the music and the ability to ask questions to learn more about Japanese culture.

Polson Middle School had a fall season full of extracurricular activities. The middle school had 193 students participate in fall sports including football, volleyball, cross country, and developmental tennis. Boys basketball is currently in full swing with 52 student athletes participating. The fall choir concert was held on Oct. 17 and was a huge success. The concert showcased the talents of all of the students involved. The band concert was held on Nov. 1 in the high school auditorium.

We have great students making a difference at Polson Middle School every day. The staff recognizes these students by selecting several as Pirates of the Month. The October Pirates of the month are seventh graders Amirah Akkasha and Luke Horner, and eighth graders Jackson Bontadelli and Donovan Beeks. These students reflect the core values of Polson Pride in the Partnerships, Relationships, Integrity, Diversity and Excellence.

There’s no place like home...

Dr. Ed Vizcarra, M.D.

Board Certified in Family Medicine With Obstetrics Clinical Interests: Sports Medicine, Adolescent Medicine

“After three decades of serving the Mission Valley, I’ve come to believe in the specialty of Family Practice Medicine. How unique it is to care for multiple generations of the same family and be involved in the lives of each of them. To support them through the joys and challenges that life brings – it is truly a special experience.”

- Dr. Vizcarra

Serving at: St. Luke Community Clinic - Ronan 126 6th Ave. SW | Ronan, MT | (406) 676-3600