Thunderbirds win Homecoming against Rocky Boy 40-26, 'Beeters test Shelby
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Junior Erik Pula has his hands full with the 6'5"350 pond Coyote pass rusher. The 'Beeter line had their hands full Friday night in Shelby but for the most part did a good job.
The Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds validated their season opening, come from behind win on the road against the Rocky Boy Northern Stars by turning in a strong performance on the gridiron Saturday afternoon in their 40-26 Homecoming win. The Thunderbirds also honored their four seniors Saturday as they played in front of the hometown fans for the final time.
In Shelby Friday night the Sugarbeeters forced four turnovers and out gained the Coyotes offensively, but penalties and timely miscues disrupted a valiant 'Beeter effort in a tough 25-12 loss.
The Thunderbirds have struggled this season in four of their six games, but in their two games against the Rocky Boy Morning Stars they have shown composure and heart in defeating their Northern C counterparts twice.
In the season opener the Thunderbirds had to come from behind in the second half to secure a comfortable 52-26 win. Saturday the Thunderbirds received a strong effort on both sides of the ball to pick up their second win of the season over the Stars.
The Thunderbird offense was powered by a strong running game led by sophomore Tyshawn Shambo with 150 yards on the ground and three rushing touchdowns. Sophomore Deshawn Shambo added 75 yards on the ground and sophomore Estevan Granados and freshman Danny Harry each added more than 50 to the Thunderbird attack. Harry and Granados connected for two long passing touchdowns as well.
Defensively the Thunderbirds held the Stars passing game in check and Tyshawn Shambo, senior Mikkel Main and senior Wyman Bringing Good recorded 19 stops behind the line of scrimmage.
The Chinook Sugarbeeters could make an outstanding case as the best 1-5 team in the state, but that certainly doesn't bring any solace to the coaching staff or the players. The 'Beeters have shined for stretches in every contest this season and gave some of the best teams in all of Class C fits, forcing them to certainly 'earn' their win over the 'Beeters. Unfortunately for Chinook, the common theme is penalties and lapses on both sides of the ball have doomed them in every loss.
Friday night in Shelby was another perfect example of just that. Chinook forced five turnovers, one fumble and three interceptions and had plenty of opportunities in the red zone to score points, but often a penalty or a mental mistake here or there on both sides of the ball negated those great opportunities.
The Coyotes muffed the hand off on the first play from scrimmage in the contest and the 'Beeters recovered deep in Shelby Territory. The offense took the field with the ball on the Coyote 19 yard line. Junior Benton Elliot found junior Reese Elliot for a nine yard gain on the 'Beeters first play from scrimmage. Senior Sam Dumas followed with a five yard run and things were looking good for the offense. A false start followed, then a one yard gain and a pair of incompletion's that continued the theme for the 'Beeters this season turning the ball over on downs and missing a golden opportunity to get the uper hand early.
The 'Beeter defense remained strong on the ensuing possession, forcing the Coyotes into a three and out, giving the offense another golden opportunity to take control. Two running plays that resulted in negative yardage and another penalty forced Chinook into a long fourth down turning the ball back over to the Coyotes.
In continuing the strong play from the defense, the 'Beeters quickly got the ball back for the offense. Chinook began to click a bit offensively and they put together a good drive. Elliot hit junior Damon Hannum for a 13 yard pitch and catch on first down. Dumas gained 12 yards after picking up a great block from Reese. Elliot then connected with sophomore Toby Niederegger for four yards and then Reese for another 14 yard gain.
The 'Beeters kept the drive moving down field with a five yard pass from Elliot to Niederegger, but a holding penalty pushed the 'Beeters back, negating a solid gain. Forced into a long third down, short pass completions were unable to reach the line to gain and the drive again stalled.
Sophomore Drake Berreth ended the ensuing Coyote drive with an athletic interception. A penalty again put the breaks on a promising drive from the 'Beeter offense, giving the ball back to the home team.
The Coyotes responded with a quick two play drive to score the first points of the game to give Shelby an 8-0 lead following a two point conversion. Chinook responded with an impressive two play drive of their own as the passing game continued to find its mark. Elliot began the drive with a 33 yard pass play to Hannum and then connected on his tenth straight attempt, a 22 yard toss to Niederegger to bring the 'Beeters within two 8-6.
Shelby would add another score late in the half to take a 14-6 advantage into the halftime locker room.
The Coyotes would drive to the 'Beeter one yard line during third quarter action but the defense gave the ball back to the offense, recovering a fumble at the three yard line. Chinook would put together a 11 play drive but back-to-back holding penalties again doomed the 'Beeter attack.
The Chinook defense played solid team ball all night long in thwarting the Coyote rushing attack while keeping their passing game in check as well.
The Coyotes added a 37 yard field goal to start the fourth quarter to extend their advantage to 17-6. Following a Coyote touchdown midway through the fourth the 'Beeters didn't stop playing hard and Benton found Reese in the end zone late from nine yards out for a second 'Beeter touchdown and the final points of the contest.
Shelby earned a 25-12 hard fought win over the 'Beeters handing the team another tough loss. Elliot completed 26-26 attempts for 237 yards and two touchdowns. Niederegger hauled in nine balls for 61 yards and a score. Reese Elliot collected 7 receptions for 83 yards and a score while Hannum caught four balls for 54 yards. On the ground, Dumas carried the ball 17 times for 60 yards. The 'Beeters out-gained the Coyotes 281-241 in total yards. Defensively, senior JT Hauer led the attack with 15 total tackles unofficially.
The Chinook Sugarbeeters and Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds will meet this Friday in Chinook at Hoon Field in the final scheduled contest of the season. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. and the game can be heard on KRYK 101.3 FM.
