The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

The Chinook Sugarbeeters completed a perfect 12-0 season and captured the 2015 Montana Class 'C' Eight-man Football State Championship in the process following a 44-20 win over the previously unbeaten Arlee Scarlet Warriors.

Fans filled Hoon Field, bands from both schools played, the sun shined and for two and a half hours the 'Beeters and Warriors played for the top prize In Class 'C' eight-man football.

Arlee took the opening kickoff and scored just four plays later to take an early 6-0. The score remained that way until the second stanza.

Senior Kevin Young bulldozed his way through the heart of the Warrior offensive line to sack the quarterback for a nine yard loss leading to a three and out and a chance for the 'Beeter offense to get rolling.

Junior Tate Niederegger picked up five yards on first down and then on second down raced 50 yards to the Warrior ten yard line.

The big play set up a 10 yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Ian McIntosh to senior Kenny Pruttis. McIntosh hooked up with senior Jake Norby for the conversion giving Chinook a 8-6 lead at the 10:17 mark of the first half.

Arlee had a quick response scoring again on a four play drive to retake the lead 12-8.

The 'Beeter offense was just finding its rhythm when Norby laid out Arlee's Patrick Bigsam with a crushing block to allow McIntosh to pick up a first down, Four plays later senior Derek Bell carried three defenders with him on a 13 yard power run that gave the 'Beeters a 14-12 lead that they would never relinquish.

On the ensuing possession the Warriors failed to pick up a first down and were forced to punt when senior Jesse Dannels broke through the line and blocked the effort. McIntosh secured the loose ball putting the 'Beeter offense back in business.

The 'Beeter offense moved the ball before finding themselves in a fourth and goal situation from the nine yard line. McIntosh made a nice ball fake before hooking up with Pruttis for the second time. Following a McIntosh conversion run Chinook increased its lead to 22-12 at the 2:34 mark of the second.

The third quarter began with the Warriors moving the ball well AND advancing deep into 'Beeter territory. Niederegger came on a blitz forcing the quarterback to fumble which resulted in a Dannel's recover and 'Beeter ball.

Chinook turned the turnover into a nine play 72 yard scoring drive that included eight runs to begin the possession. The final play was another McIntosh to Pruttis connection, this time from 23 yards out. With a Bell conversion run Chinook's lead ballooned to 30-12.

The Warriors made a quarterback change to start the fourth quarter and seemed to be gaining momentum following a seven play 71 yard drive that brought the visitors within ten at 30-20.

Bell had an answer to squash any momentum the Warriors had gained by returning the ensuing kickoff 65 yards, spinning and breaking several tackles before being brought down at the ten yard line. Three plays later McIntosh and Pruttis connected for the third time giving the 'Beeters a 38-20 lead following a Norby conversion catch.

Norby stopped the next Warrior possession intercepting the Warrior quarterback on third down.

McIntosh's two yard plunge capped a four play drive that included a 22 yard scamper from Bell to go up 44-20 with 7:14 left in the contest.

The Warriors had two more possessions in the contest, the last one being ended by a Bell strip and McIntosh recovery allowing the offense to line up in victory formation and take a knee for the final two snaps, walking away with a 44-20 state championship game win.

Pruttis tallied 61 yards on four catches for three touchdowns in the win. McIntosh completed 4-9 for 61 yards and three scores while also adding 90 rushing yards and a pair of scores on 16 attempts.

Bell accounted for 195 total yards from scrimmage with 100 yards and a touchdown coming on the ground via nine rushing attempts. Bell racked up 95 return yards on three attempts including his big 65 yard return to set up a score.

Niederegger ran strong all afternoon and totaled 143 yards rushing on 18 attempts including a 50 yard scamper to set up a score.

While the offense was productive as usual the defense was dominant. Young was a force all day long and could be found in the backfield along with Dannels and senior Spencer Willman on nearly every play.

Young finished with three sacks and 18 total tackles in the win. Willman added 2.5 sacks and 12 tackles while Dannels contributed 11 stops and a fumble recovery.

The linebackers and secondary were led by Norby's 15 tackles and interception. McIntosh added 14 tackles while Niederegger notched 13. Norby along with Pruttis each recorded four pass breakups.

"Only way to go out is with a bang, right," said Young after the game. "It feels good to get it back after falling short last season."

The game featured many momentum swings and when it became firmly in Chinooks favor is a matter of opinion, "Halfway through the fourth quarter, after we scored, that's when I knew we were going to win," said Young.

"When I caught my second touchdown (third quarter), I felt like we couldn't be stopped," added Pruttis.

"Game changing moment for me was when Bob (Derek Bell) brought that kickoff back and we got a quick score to go up 18," commented McIntosh.

"After Norby got the intercept, then it was time for us to do what we do best, run the ball and we took it down and punched it in," McIntosh stated.

Young's game changing moment, "Without Norby's big hit on Bigsam in the second quarter we would have been forced to punt, but instead Derek scored and we took the lead."

"Our Special Teams were perfect that day, Derek's a tank, his return to set us up was huge," Pruttis stated.

As for the feelings and the emotion that sinks in along with the reality of becoming champions, thought, varied as well, "Holy smokes we just won state!" was Pruttis's response.

McIntosh had a little fun as the clock wound down, "In victory formation, Norby and Kevin asked if they could snap so I was really just worried about getting the snap!"

"I'm pretty speechless about the whole thing," Young said. "Many thanks to everyone involved, from the players to the coaches, to the community, to allow us to have this opportunity."

"It's been a ride, we made bonds that will never be broken. I'm just grateful to have been a part of it for four years," Dannels stated. "I'm just honored to be a part of that team. We all put in that hard work and when you do that you will succeed."

As for the coaching staff, naturally they were very thrilled with the outcome of the game and to be able to finish the mission that began a season ago.

"I'm proud of all my trench warriors on both sides of the ball. They dominated the game," stated assistant coach Christian Lehnert.

One of the things this team was exceptional at all season long was not committing penalties and in the championship game they totaled two for ten yards while the Warriors amassed 11 for 73 yards. Penalties can be drive killers for the offense and demoralizing for the defense and this team simply didn't commit many.

"We have a very disciplined group and we work on that daily and we expect that from them and they expect it from each other, just lends itself to the team concept," concluded Lehnert.

Head Coach Scott Friede was named Northern C Coach of the year following the win and was plenty proud of his team, the coaching staff and the community they play for, "We are very happy for and proud of the team for what they accomplished this season. The state championship game was great team effort," commented Friede. "The entire defensive line, Jesse, Spencer, Travis, and of course Kevin, can take credit in putting the pressure on two very good athletes in the Arlee backfield. Coming up with five sacks and many tackles for a loss is kudos to the entire defensive line," said Friede.

"Everyone had their moments in making big plays and supporting one another on the field. Arlee had some very good athletes and they came to battle us, making this game one to remember for a very long time," Friede went on to say.

Kasie McIntosh

Kevin Young records one of his three sacks on the day. Young finished with 18 total tackles and was in the Warrior backfield on nearly every play.

"You can't say enough about our offensive line, starting with the guy in the middle Travis Hamilton, The entire offensive line along with Kade Friede picking up key blocks at crucial times in the game to help get our running game going. Tate not only getting it done on the offensive side but also a force on the defensive side. Ian's ability to overcome making mistakes early on and then bouncing back and displaying the true champion character that he is," added Friede.

"Derek Bell making it almost impossible to be blocked on defense. Jake Norby making a saving tackle in the second quarter to begin our first goal line stand and then picking up an interception in the second half," said Friede.

"Last year's seniors are a big part of what we were able to accomplish this season. This whole team remained focused the entire year. It was a lot of fun working and practicing with this team. These guys are easy to work hard for," concluded Friede.

With a state championship firmly secured the players, coaches, family, friends and fans can finally take a deep breath and reflect on the past three months and the memories that will remain for a lifetime. This group will always be known as State Champions and that can never change.