We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
The Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds were at home for the first time this season on Saturday as they hosted the Harlem Wildcats in an historic Northern C Eight player football contest. The Thunderbirds and the Wildcats have competed from time to time on the basketball and volleyball courts, but never before have they met on the grid iron.
The Wildcats for decades played in the Northern B before moving down to Eight-player football this spring. Harlem began their inaugural season with a 60-54 win over the Lodge Grass Indians to win their first ever Class C football game. Harlem fell on hard times the following weeks dropping four tough losses before heading into their contest with the Thunderbirds.
Hays/Lodge Pole had plenty of difficulty just getting their season started. First they had to deal with a delay due to the Pine Grove Wildfire. Then as they were getting set to return to practice the program was halted once again due to Covid-19 safety protocols. With so much uncertainty surrounding the program, participation numbers began to fall and the season was down to it’s last day.
The coaches and staff and students came together and got enough kids ready to play that they were able to finally begin their season in week four.
Hays/Lodge Pole played a couple of road games in Chinook and Shelby to get the season underway and were ready to play in front of the hometown crown for the first time in what seemed like forever.
Harlem was ready to make the short trip south and when they took the field they were certainly ready to play. The Wildcats started fast and never looked back scoring 38 first half points. The Thunderbirds found the end zone twice in the opening half themselves sending the teams to halftime with Harlem up 38-14.
The Wildcats added a couple more scores down the stretch in picking up their second win of the season, a 54-14 victory over the Thunderbirds.
The Wildcats scheduled contest with Great Falls Central this week has been canceled due to the Mustangs halting their season after three games. The Wildcats instead hosted Rocky Boy this past Monday. The game with the Stars was Harlem’s Senior Night. Results will be in next weeks paper.
The Thunderbirds will stay home this weekend and host the Cascade Badgers on Saturday afternoon. The contest with the Badgers will be the Thunderbirds Homecoming as well as their Senior Day celebration.
The Thunderbirds and Wildcats may schedule a league contest of a crossover game with the North ‘A’ subdivision to close out their season. Check with the school office for any updates to the schedule.
