7-2 'Beeters Season Ends with 34-25 Playoff Loss to the Fairview Warriors

The Chinook Sugarbeeters began their 2021 Montana Class C Eight-man football playoff on the road this past Saturday in Fairview. The 7-1 Sugarbeeters entered the contest as the No. 4 Seed out of the North while the 6-2 Warriors entered as the No. 1 Seed out of the East.

The 'Beeters looked to get things going early and started on defense forcing the Warriors into a three and out leading to a punt. Senior Toby Niederegger hauled in the punt at their own 22 yard line and returned the ball 20 yards to the Fairview 38 yard line.

The offense took the field in great field position and started with three straight runs picking 20 yards to the 18, the last 15 on a nice run from senior Hunter Molyneaux. Senior Quarterback Levi Jensen then went to the air and completed a six yard pass to senior Oskar Pula down to the Warrior 12 yard line.

The 'Beeters soon found themselves in a fourth down and goal from the 10 yard line. Pula came on to attempt a field goal and connected on the 27 yard try for the first points of the contest and a 3-0 'Beeter lead at the midway point of the first quarter.

The Warriors were never able to gain control of the kick resulting in a Tyler Schoen Recovery at the Warrior 28 yard line. A Pass Interference call on the Warriors moved the ball to the 12 yard line. This time the offense would be stymied on third down by a Fairview interception in the end zone and returned to the 15 yard line.

Fairview picked up a big gain on first down moving the ball into Chinook territory at the 'Beeter 29. The 'Beeter defense stood tall and forced a fourth down play that resulted in a turnover on downs giving the ball back to the offense at their own 25 yard line.

After a good opening drive by the 'Beeters, the defenses for both teams rose to the occasion. The 'Beeters found themselves in a 3rd and 19 from their own 28 yard line to start the second quarter. After a short gain, Pula was again called on to punt. The Warriors returned the kick 12 yards to the 'Beeter 29.

The Warrior tried to make something happen on a fourth and seven but the 'Beeter defense stayed home, forced a fumble and gave the ball back to the 'Beeter offense at the Fairview 30.

Schoen made a spectacular one handed sliding catch to the 21. On the very next play Schoen hauled in a perfectly thrown ball from Jensen for the touchdown. The two point conversion run was stopped just short leaving the 'Beeters with a 9-0 lead at the 6:11 mark of the second quarter.

The Warriors began their next drive at their own 28 yard line and found some rhythm to start the drive moving the ball into 'Beeter territory. Schoen made a big stop on a second down play forcing a third and short. Junior Braxton Inman penetrated the line and tackled the Warrior back for a two yard loss forcing a fourth and four. The 'Beeter defense strung the Warrior play out perfectly forcing a turnover on downs.

The 'Beeters took over at their own 32 looking to build on the momentum gained the previous drive. Unable to get anything going the 'Beeters punted the ball back to Fairview.

The Warriors quickly moved into 'Beeter territory and had a first and 10 at the 'Beeter 25. The 'Beeters held the Warriors to no gain on first and second down but a broken coverage on third down left a wide open receiver for a Fairview 25 yard touchdown pass. The conversion was no good leaving the 'Beeters with a 9-6 lead with 1:26 remaining in the half.

The 'Beeters were on the road with a 9-6 lead, in a first round playoff game and they get the ball to start the second half, seemed to be a good place to be. Looking to build on that lead the 'Beeters wanted to get off to a quick start in the third quarter.

Fairview forced the 'Beeters into a punt and on their first possession were looking for something of their own to jump start the team.

The Warriors picked up 12 yards on first down and quickly put pressure on the 'Beeter defense. Chinook forced the Warriors into a fourth and four leading to a huge play to start the second half. Schoen stepped in front of the Warrior pass at the 31 yard line and returned the interception 24 yards to the warrior 25 yard line.

Molyneaux started the 'Beeters second possession of the half, following the turnover with a nine yard gain down to the 16. A holding call set the 'Beeters back and the 'Beeters couldn't recover turning the ball over on downs at their own 30 yard line.

Chinook responded in a big way forcing their second turnover of the half. The Warrior quarterback dropped back and under heavy pressure was sacked resulting in a fumble recovery by junior Lane Hassler at the Fairview 23 yard line.

The 'Beeters were set back by a 15 yard face mask call on the running back leaving the team in a fourth and forever. Pula pinned the Warriors back at their own 13 yard line.

The Warriors picked up 55 yards on first down on a huge run set them up at the 'Beeter 11 yard line. The defense held on first down and second down resulted in no gain, bringing up a third and nine. The 'Beeter defense was whistled for a face mask giving the Warriors a first and goal at the two yard line. Fairview scored on the next play. Following the two-point conversion the Warriors took a 14-9 lead with 1:37 left in the third quarter.

Molyneaux returned the ensuing kickoff to the 26 yard line looking to ignite the offense. A block in the back penalty set the 'Beeters back leading to a 4th and 13 from their own 24 yard line. Offsetting penalties were assessed to both teams leaving Fairview with ball at the 30 yard line.

The Warriors strung some plays together, moving the ball down to the 'Beeter 36 yard line as time expired in the third quarter. The 'Beeter defense began the fourth quarter with a stop in the backfield for a one yard loss. A nice pile driver from Berreth left the Warriors with a 3rd and 11. The Warriors were left with a 4th and 8 leading to another pivotal play. Fairview won the down, connecting on a 34 yard strike for another touchdown. The conversion attempt was no good leaving the score in the Warriors favor 20-9 with 10:19 left in the contest.

Molyneaux returned the kickoff 30 yards to the Warrior 36. Tacked onto the end of the play was a personal foul by the Warriors, placing the ball at the Fairview 28 to start the drive. Jensen dropped straight back and fired a perfect strike to Schoen for a 28 yard touchdown. Jensen hit Berreth for the two point conversion cutting the deficit to 20-17 with 9:56 left on the game clock.

Pula drilled the kickoff through the end zone setting up the Warrior offense at their own 15. The Warriors picked up big yardage to the 'Beeter 39 yard line on first down. Chinook forced a fourth and four setting up, another big play in a game of big plays. In a game of inches the sticks were brought out for a measurement that resulted in a turnover on downs, giving the ball back to the 'Beeters at their own 29.

The 'Beeters didn't start the drive off on the right foot, being assessed a holding penalty back to their own 13 yard line. Back to back incompletions left the offense in a bit of a pickle. Facing third and 26 another pass just evaded the receivers finger tips forcing another punt by Pula.

Fairview took over at their own 27 to start their next drive and connected on a 53 yard pitch and catch to extend the lead to 26-17. With 6:06 remaining in the contest it was now or never for the 'Beeters.

A turnover left Warriors in business with a first and 10 at the 'Beeter 18 yard line. Following a pass interference penalty the Warriors were left with a 3rd and five from the 13 yard line. The Warriors picked up the first down after a measurement putting all the pressure on the 'Beeter defense. The Warriors punched in the game clinching touchdown at the 2:06 mark of the fourth quarter. The two-point conversion was good giving Fairview a 34-17 lead.

Jensen completed a long pass down the right sideline to Berreth down to the Warrior 32 yard line. Berreth followed with another nifty catch, made a nice move to evade the defender down to the five yard line. Jensen and Berreth connected once again, this time for a five yard touch down. The two hooked up on the conversion to cut the deficit to 34-25 with 1:19 left.

The Warriors recovered the onside kick, effectively ending the 'Beeters chance. The 'Beeters concluded the season 7-2 and overall turned in a fine season. Somethings need to go their way and didn't, but the team completed every snap and has everything to be proud of.