Whitefish Football Falls in Semifinal Showdown Vs Frenchtown

Monday, November 17, 2025 at 12:01 PM

Whitefish Football Vs. Frenchtown in the Class "A" Semi's. Photo © Brittany Brown.

The Whitefish Bulldog Football team traveled down to Frenchtown, on Friday, for the Semi-Final Round of the MHSA Class "A" Playoffs.

This was just the 5th time since 2000 that the Dawgs would play in the Semifinals.

Luke Dalen would rush for 144 yards and two touchdonws but the Whitefish Bulldogs comeback attempt fell just short as Frencthwon hung on for the hard-fought 23-20 victory.

Turnovers (2) hurt the Dawgs early in this one as Frenchtown jumped out to an early 10-0 lead.

Following a Dalen interception on the Dawgs' first drive of the game, Frenchtown's Dawson Rodoni found Cooper Michaud for a 10-yard TD Pass, on the fade route.

After a Bulldog punt the Broncs tacked on 3 more with a Brett Kleinsmith 31 yard Field Goal.

After another Whitefish turnover, the Broncs were set up in plus territory once again but this time missed the Field Goal.

That was the break Whitefish needed. The Dawgs would get on the board 2 plays later. Luke Dalen dropped back to pass, couldn't find anyone and took off running for a 71 yard gain. Dalen would then score from 9 yards out to get the Dawgs on the board, 10-6.

Frenchtown responded, scoring on a halfback pass from Konnor Klimpel to Bailey Corrette from 28 yards out and the Broncs went into the halftime break with a 17-6 lead.

Frenchtown got the ball to start the 2nd half and scored on a 32 yard Field Goal, taking 8:41 off the clock.

Whitefish answered in a big way. On fourth-and-7 Dalen found Cole Moses up the middle for a 47 yard Touchdown and the Dawgs were back in it.

Frenchtown's bully ball offense was to tough for the Dawgs to stop. The Broncs would march down the field using almost 10 minutes of clock and connected on a 25 yard Field Goal.

Once again, the Dawgs had an answer. Whitefish was able to drive down the field, using the quick pass game and running it when the play broke down. Dalen would find paydirt on a 10 yard runm to pull Whitefish within 3, 23-20, with 1:07 to go.

Frenchtown was able to run the clock out on the next drive sealing the game.

Frenchtown will host Billings Central for the Class "A" State Championship.

With the loss, Whitefish's season officially comes to a close. The Dawgs finish the 2025 campaign with an 8-3 overall record. They were 4-1 in conference play. Their 3 losses were by a combined 8 points. The Dawgs made it to the semifinals for the first time sicne 2015 and just the 5th team to advance this far since 2000. They go down as one of the best teams in program history.