FRENCHTOWN -- Facing a must-win scenario to keep its Class A football playoff hopes alive, Frenchtown got four touchdowns from Tel Arthur and survived a wild game for a 56-46 win over Polson.
The Broncs looked like they might avoid the drama early, building a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Cole Stenerson recovered a Polson fumble in the end zone to give Frenchtown a 7-0 lead, and Peyton Hicks extended it to 14-0 with a 6-yard run later in the quarter.
The fireworks started in the second, though. First, Polson quarterback Jarrett Wilson scored on a 5-yard run to bring the Pirates back within 14-6. Arthur added his first TD a minute later, and the shootout was on. Wilson passed for two long touchdowns -- a 51-yarder to Xavier Fisher and a 47-yarder to Colton Graham -- and Polson suddenly had a 22-21 lead. Frenchtown responded with a 12-yard scoring pass from Wyatt Hayes to Devin Shelton, though, and the Broncs ended up taking a 28-22 lead into halftime.
Frenchtown would never trail in the second half, but there was still plenty of excitement. Hays and Shelton hooked up for another TD in the third to push the lead back to 35-22, but Wilson again had an answer, this time finding Boston Goode for a short score. Arthur found the end zone for his second touchdown of the game just before the end of the third, and the Broncs would lead 42-30 going to the fourth.
The teams traded scores over the final 12 minutes -- two Graham-to-Wilson touchdowns for Polson, and two Arthur runs for Frenchtown -- as the Broncs held on for the critical Western A win. Frenchtown improved to 4-2 in league play, while Polson fell to 3-3.
Class A football scores
Frenchtown 56, Polson 46
Glendive at Billings Central (Postponed)
Hamilton 35, Columbia Falls 7
Laurel 59, Hardin 0
Lewistown at Sidney (Postponed)
Libby 41, Butte Central 14
Miles City 55, Havre 12
Ronan 48, Stevensville 12
Whitefish 45, Corvallis 10
