'Beeters host Chester/Joplin-Inverness with playoffs berth on the line
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Chinook senior Tye Mitchell (60) and his Sugarbeeter teammates had their hands full Friday night Choteau but after falling to the Bulldogs 58-6, they are still in the hunt for a playoff berth. They are in with a win this Saturday against the Chester/Joplin-Inverness Hawks.
The Chinook Sugarbeeters were in Choteau this past Friday to face the Bulldogs in a Northern C Eight-man football seeded playoff game. For the first time this season the 'Beeters were out gunned from the get go as Choteau ran all over them in a 58-6 setback.
The loss isn't the end of the road for the 'Beeters as they will now face the Chester/Joplin-Inverness Hawks tonight (Wednesday) with the winner earning the Norths fifth playoff spot in the upcoming State C Eight-man Football Playoffs.
The Sugarbeeters have proven throughout their previous seven contests that they have the team to compete with anyone, but the game in Choteau was an eye opener for some.
The Sugarbeeters were never a factor in the contest and trailed 6-0 after only one Bulldog play, a 75 yard touchdown run just :15 into the contest.
The 'Beeters went three and out on the ensuing possession only to see the Bulldogs score quick again on a 35 yard run to put the 'Beeters down 14-0.
Chinook showed signs of righting the ship after senior quarterback Trajan Hannum kept their next drive alive with a three yard gain on fourth down. but the eight play drive would eventually stall.
The defense seemed to come up with a big play when a block punt gave the ball to the 'Beeters at the Bulldog nine yard line. However the referees called roughing the kicker and the ball was given back to the Bulldog offense.
Still showing signs of the life the 'Beeter defense stood tall and forced a turnover putting their offense back on the field.
Hannum found senior Karson Powell for a 21yard gain to the Choteau 13. Chinook soon found themselves in a fourth and goal situation from the Bulldog four yard line when Hannum rolled to his right and found senior Isaac Bell for a four yard touchdown cutting the Bulldog lead to 14-6 heading into the second quarter.
From that point on though it was all Bulldogs as they scored three more times to lead 36-6 at intermission on their way to a 58-6 win over the Sugarbeeters.
"We picked the worst day, to play the worst game of the season," said Head Coach Mike Jones. We can play with anybody, Central proved that. We just need to forget about that game and think about Chester Saturday, win and were in."
The Sugarbeeters and the Chester/Joplin-Inverness Hawks have had some epic regular season and post season games in the past and this Saturdays contest for a spot in the playoffs will certainly have a rivalry feel to it. The winner will get the South No. 4 Seed in the 16 Tournament that gets under way October 27.
