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

The Chinook Sugarbeeters opened the football season against a team playing their first Eight-man football after dropping down from the Class B ranks. A year ago it was against the Chouteau Bulldogs and this year it was against Shelby Coyotes who lost in the State B Championship a season ago.

The 'Beeters fell 48-6 in the opener but the contest had a much closer feel to it.

The Sugarbeeters forced Shelby into a three and out on their first possession but after picking up a couple of first downs on offense the Sugarbeeters were force to punt the ball back to the Coyotes.

Shelby then had a good drive going, taking more than four minutes off the clock and driving deep into 'Beeter territory but the team stood tall and junior Sam Dumas gave the ball back to the offense with a fumble recovery at the 10 yard line.

Chinook again moved the ball well picking up three first downs before having to punt the ball back at the end of the first quarter.

Defense was the name of the game for much of the first half with the teams holding the other scoreless in the first quarter.

The Sugarbeeters again forced the Coyotes into a punting situation after just three offensive plays including stiff pressure from senior Brendan Edwards as he batted a third down pass away in the Coyote backfield.

The 'Beeters again moved down the field methodically. Senior James Christensen ran hard off the right side on fourth and one to keep the drive alive.

Christensen had a nice 7 yard gain and senior quarterback Trajan Hannum picked up another Sugarbeeter first down with a four yard scamper. The drive eventually stalled but Hannum was able to pin the Coyotes deep with a nice punt that was downed at the five yard line.

The game was still scoreless with less than four minutes remaining in the first half, something rarely seen in what normally is high scoring eight-man football.

The Coyotes ended that scoring drought with 3:36 remaining in the half, converting a fourth and seven into a 43 yard touchdown pass. Shelby added the extra point kick and led 7-0.

Chinook sophomore Favion Couturier sacks the Coyote quarterback during second quarter action Saturday night. The sack stopped the Shelby Drive and kept the game scoreless.

Just 1:18 the Coyotes scored again recovering a 'Beeter fumble in the endzone. Momentum was clearly on the side of the Coyotes when they would score :34 later on a 12 yard run following an interception.

Shelby ended the first half with a 40 yard field goal, scoring 24 points in the final 3:38 of the first half.

The Coyotes converted two more 'Beeter turnovers into points in the third quarter and added a score late midway through the fourth to expand the lead to 48-0.

Chinook kept fighting as sophomore quarterback Benton Elliot connected with sophomore Damon Hannum on a 28 yard pickup and sophomore Favion Couturier scored from 2 yards out as the horn sounded providing the final points of the game in a 48-6 Shelby win.

The 'Beeters will be on the road this Friday as they head to Cascade to face the Badgers. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.