We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
The Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds made their debut in the Northern C Football division this past Saturday as they took on the Great Falls Central Mustangs to begin their season.
Head coach Sean Mount has been steadily building a program for the past few years and this growth has led to a team that's ready to compete.
In what turned out to be a good old-fashioned barn burner the Hays/Lodgepole Thunderbirds took a late lead in the fourth quarter before falling in the final seconds 48-44.
Getting the first game of the season under their belt and playing a solid game is definitely a positive one for the Thunderbirds although a road win would have been nice.
The Thunderbirds fell behind early 14-0 after a pair of Great Falls Central touchdowns. Senior quarterback Tyson Shambo intercepted a Mustang pass near the end zone and returned it 66 yards for the first score of the season to trim the deficit 14-6.
Great Falls Central then added three more touchdowns in the second stanza to extend the advantage to 36-6 at the intermission.
The Thunderbirds however, were just getting started and came out to begin the third quarter ready to play.
Senior Frank Runs Above hauled in a 65 yard pitch and catch from Shambo to get the Thunderbirds on the board early in the second half, trimming the Mustang lead to 36-12.
Junior Chance Main follow that score with a one yard plunge of his own and Runs Above and Shambo connected on the two-point conversion to bring the Thunderbirds to within 36-20.
Runs Above then used his legs to scamper through the Mustang defense en-route to a 46-yard score. Maine added the conversion on the ground and suddenly the Thunderbirds were within a touchdown 36-28.
The Mustangs responded with a quick score of their own to extend advantage back to 42-28 midway through the fourth quarter.
Main and the Thunderbirds were far from done as the senior scored twice more on runs from three yards and one yard out. Shambo converted both two point attempts to give Hays/Lodge Pole their first lead at 44-42 lead with 4:03 left in the ballgame.
Great Falls Central had the final say though as they found pay dirt with 1:41 showing on the clock to take a hard-fought 48-44 win over Hays/Lodge Pole.
Maine finish the contest with 21 carries for 85 yards and the three second-half scores. Shambo added 45 yards on eight carries to go along with his interception return and three successful conversion attempts. Shambo also was effective through the air amassing 175 yards completing 8 of 12 passes. Runs Above picked up 64 yards in just four carried, including the long score.
The Thunderbirds out gamed the Mustangs 423 yards to 399 in the contest.
The Thunderbirds great resilience and battling back from a large deficit to take the lead late in the contest. The team can learn from this and make adjustments so that they can start faster.
The Thunderbirds will be back in action this weekend when they will make their home debut against the Chester-Joplin-Inverness Hawks.
This years Thunderbird team is made up of seniors Tough Snow, Tyson Shambo, Colton Werk, Jace Shambo, Wyatt Hughes, Elijah Blackcrow, Tyrus Brockie, Frank Runs Above, Brian Wing Jr., and Cleo Wing.
Juniors include, Chance Main and Damien Bradley. Sophomores out this fall are Desmond Shambo and Jeremy PrettyPaint.
Freshman this fall include Mikkel Main, Rico Doney and Wyman BringingGood.
The Thunderbirds schedule includes a road contest with Fort Benton on September 9 followed by a home date with Centerville September 16. The Thunderbirds will finish the month with a pair of road games against Cascade, September 24 and Belt September 30.
October has Hays/Lodge Pole taking Power-Dutton-Brady on the 8th followed by a trip to Simms October 14. The Thunderbirds will conclude the regular season at home against the Chinook Sugarbeeters.
