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

The Chinook Sugarbeeters welcomed the Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds to town for a Northern C Eight-man football game this past Friday. Playing under the lights, the 'Beeters also recognized their seniors at halftime of their final game in front of the hometown fans.

Chinook wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Following the opening kickoff the 'Beeters started their first offensive possession on their own 30 yard line. Junior Quarterback Benton Elliot took the shotgun snap turned to his right, throwing a lateral to sophomore Toby Niederegger who then looked down field and found senior Kurtis Hamilton streaking across the field. Hamilton was able to run under the throw and haul it in for a 50 yard touchdown reception, giving Chinook a 6-0 lead just :17 into the contest.

On the ensuing Thunderbird possession, sophomore Drake Berreth stepped in front of the receiver, intercepting the ball and returning it for another 'Beeter touchdown just :15 later. The conversion attempt was stopped and Chinook held a 12-0 advantage with 11:28 remaining in the opening stanza.

The Thunderbirds second possession was much better. Sophomore Tyshawn Shambo gained nine yards on first down and then took the next snap 24 yards, putting pressure on the 'Beeter defense. After a couple short runs and an incompletion the Thunderbirds turned the ball back over to the 'Beeters.

Chinooks second offensive snap of the game had the same result as the first. Senior Sam Dumas took the hand-off from Elliot started left, then broke outside for a 53 yard touchdown run. Dumas added the conversion kick and Chinook extended their lead to 19-0.

Senior JT Hauer intercepted the Thunderbirds and returned it to the 15 yard line giving the 'Beeters the ball back deep in Thunderbird territory.

Senior Josh Gillett lined up behind Elliot, took the pitch and hit the hole hard racing past defenders to the end zone for another 'Beeter Touchdown and a 26-0 lead after another Dumas extra point kick.

The 'Beeter defense forced another Thunderbird turnover on the next play from scrimmage. Niederegger popped the ball loose and sophomore Wyatt Dunbar recovered the fumble, setting the 'Beeter offense up once again.

Hauer carried the ball three times and the 'Beeters were flagged twice to start the drive. Shambo stormed into the backfield to sack Elliot for a 10 yard loss but on the next play Elliot dropped in a perfect pass to Niederegger for a 20 yard touchdown and a 33-0 Chinook lead heading into the second quarter of action.

Hauer and the 'Beeters started their next possession at their own 27 yard line and over the final minute of the first quarter and the start of the second, Hauer carried the ball eight consecutive times, the last, a 12 yard scamper that found the end zone for another 'Beeter score and a 39-0 lead.

The Thunderbirds showed a lot of heart, and fought the entire game. Despite the score the Thunderbirds future looks bright with a number of sophomores and freshman playing well throughout the contest.

Tyshawn started the next Thunderbird possession with a solid 14 yard run and a few plays later hauled in a 31 yard reception thrown by sophomore Deshon Shambo. Tyshawn connected with sophomore Estevan Granados for a 17 yard touchdown to get the Thunderbirds on the board. Deshawn added the conversion run to make the score 39-8.

Dumas would answer on the 'Beeters next play with a 42 yard Touchdown run and freshman Tyler Schoen would score from 24 yards out on the final play of the first half, sending the teams to intermission with the 'Beeters on top of the Thunderbirds 52-8.

The Thunderbirds scored first to start the second half on a 42 yard run from Deshon Shambo to make the score 52-14.

The two's and three's saw plenty of action for the 'Beeters during the second half Friday night and performed very well.

Freshman quarterback Levi Jensen scored on a five yard rush with 2:31 left in the third quarter to make the score 58-14.

Hays/Lodge Pole quickly answered back with another score of their own, this time on a six yard pass from senior Ethan Werk to Deshon Shambo to start the fourth quarter.

Jensen then went to the passing game for the 'Beeters, connecting on a 49 yard strike to junior Damon Hannum at the 8:56 mark of the fourth quarter.

Thunderbird defensive end, sophomore Tyson Shambo finds himself in the 'Beeter backfield during first quarter action Friday night.

Tyshawn Shambo then found Granados for a 13 yard touchdown pass for the Thunderbirds fourth touchdown of the contest.

Jensen went back to the air on the 'Beeters next possession, hooking up with Schoen on a 61 yard bomb for the 'Beeters final touch down of the contest. Sophomore scored the final points of a 72-30 Chinook win on the two point conversion.

The Sugarbeeters will be on the road this Saturday to face the Rocky Boy Northern Stars. The game time start is still be decided as to an afternoon or evening start. Check the school website for updates.

The Thunderbirds will travel to Cascade to face the Badgers, start time for that contest is to be determined as well.

The Surgarbeeters will conclude their season next Tuesday in Chester as they take on the Hawks with kickoff set for 6:00 p.m.