We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
The Chinook Sugarbeeters are back to back Northern C division football champions following a dominate 58-22 win over previously unbeaten Chester-Joplin-Inverness last Wednesday.
The 'Beeters racked up 305 yards rushing on a whopping 56 attempts as they controlled the ball and the clock offensively. The other side of the line did its job as well forcing five turnovers including four interceptions and recording two sack in th win.
Chinooks defense kept the Hawk running game in check allowing a mere 25 yards on 22 carries, forcing them to throw the ball 53 times in the contest.
Things began a little auspiciously for both teams as each fumbled the ball away on their opening possession. The 'Beeters however would limit their mistakes from there on out while capitalizing on the Hawks miscues throughout the contest.
The 'Beeters second possession was an efficient ten play, 66 yard drive including eight runs that accounted for 61 of those yards. Senior Derek Bell scored from 10 yards out followed by a conversion pass from Senior Ian McIntosh to senior Kenny Pruttis to put the 'Beeters up 8-0.
The defense stood tall on the ensuing Hawk possession. Junior Tate Niederegger picked off an errant pass and returned it 35 yard putting the Chinook offense back in business.
Pruttis moments later hauled in a 12 yard pass from McIntosh to push the lead to 16-0 after the conversion.
The teams traded possessions the next few times down the field before Chinook scored on a fumble recovery in the end zone by Pruttis to push the advantage to 24-0.
The 'Beeters forced a quick three and out getting the ball back at their own 39 yard late in the first half. McIntosh capped a nine play drive, all running plays, with a four yard plunge. Senior Jake Norby hauled in the conversion pass from McIntosh sending the 'Beeters to the halftime break up 32-0.
C-J-I scored quickly to start the third quarter, however, Niederegger returned the ensuing kick off 36 yards and on the first play from scrimmage the remaining 35 yards to re-establish the 'Beeter advantage at 40-6.
McIntosh stood tall in the secondary for the 'Beeters intercepting the Hawk quarterback to put an end to an eight play C-J-I drive.
The 'Beeters then controlled the clock with a 13 play drive that ended in the end zone with senior Owen Powell covering the final three yards. The score gave Chinook a 46-6 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
Bell and McIntosh answered two fourth quarter Hawk scores with a 2 yard dive from Bell and a one yard run from McIntosh to provide the final points. Norby stifled the final two Hawk possessions with a pair of picks to secure the Northern C with a 58-22 'Beeter win.
Niederegger ran for 143 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. McIntosh finished with 15 carries for 79 yards and two scores. Bell added 2 scores and 71 yards on 10 attempts.
Niederegger recorded an interception and 14 tackles while Norby added two picks, a forced fumble and nine stops for the 'Beeters. Bell and Pruttis each recorded 11 tackles in the win
"It was a great win for us. Our defense was huge that first half holding a team as explosive as that to zero points, impressive," stated head coach Scott Friede.
"We wanted to run the ball and control the clock and we did that. We wanted to stop their run and force them to throw the ball and we did that," added Friede.
"Not many teams have won the Northern C, back to back. I'm just so proud of their effort. Now we need to focus on Great Falls Central and fine tune things as we move on to the playoffs," Friede concluded.
For nine seniors it was a fitting outcome in their final game under the lights at Hoon Field. Sure, Ian McIntosh, Kevin Young, Jesse Dannels, Derek Bell, Kenny Pruttis, Jake Norby, Travis Hamilton, Spencer Willman, and Owen Powell have at least one and hopefully a couple more contests in front of their hometown fans in the playoffs, but those games will all be played on Saturday afternoons.
"It feels good to get another win, it's nice to get another division championship under our belt," said Young.
Winning the Northern C for the second time is quite a feat but it didn't happen overnight, "One of our goals going into this season was to become conference champions again. Now that we've achieved that goal with our win over CJI this past Wednesday, we are looking towards a deep run into the playoffs," Norby stated.
The 'Beeters cupboards are full of players who want to step up, "We have such a talented group of players that give their all day in and day out. You just gotta make something out of nothing," added Hamilton.
The 'Beeters seem to shine when playing in front of the home crowd. "The fans were great Wednesday night and it became apparent that this town loves football," concluded Norby.
The 'Beeters will travel to Great Falls Saturday for a 1:00 p.m. kick off. The Montana Class 'C' eight man football playoff will begin Saturday, October 31.
Chinook will host the fourth place finisher out of the Eastern 'C.' Currently the Culbertson/Bainville Cowboys hold that spot. Kick off is set for 1:00 p.m.
