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

The Chinook Sugarbeeters had a rough go of things the first half of the season. While competitive, they were unable to gain the upper hand against the top teams of the Northern C.

The second half of the season has seen the 'Beeters win three of their last four contest, all by lopsided margins. Friday night in Rocky Boy the 'Beeters took down the Stars 69-6.

The Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds are a very inexperienced, young team. They to have struggled to find their way through much of the season. The Thunderbirds boast a bevy of talented freshman and sophomores who have proven they can play the game.

Friday night in Cascade the Thunderbirds concluded their 2019 schedule with a hard fought back and fourth 42-40 overtime win over the Badgers. The win gives Hays/Lodge Pole a 3-5 record.

The Sugarbeeters wasted little time getting on the scoreboard Friday night against Rocky Boy. Senior Josh Gillette fielded the opening kickoff at the 10 yard line and then weaved his way to the end-zone on a 70 yard opening kickoff return.

The teams traded possessions back and fourth and on the second Rocky Boy possession, sophomore Wyatt Dunbar intercepted the Star quarterback and returned it to the 15 yard line.

Senior Sam Dumas scampered 15 yards to paydirt to extend the 'Beeter lead to 14-0.

Late in the first quarter Dumas gained 17 yards on first down and junior Quarterback Benton Elliot followed with a 15 yard scamper of his own to jump start the 'Beeter offense.

Elliot then found sophomore Toby Niederegger in the middle of the end-zone for a 15 yard scoring strike and a 20-0 'Beeter lead.

The 'Beeter defense, stout as ever, thwarted the ensuing Rocky Boy drive with a fourth down stop led by Dumas and senior JT Hauer.

Hauer wasted little time getting back into the action as he took the 'Beeters first snap from scrimmage and sprinted 40 yards to paydirt. Following a conversion kick by Dumas the 'Beeters held a 27-0 lead midway through the second quarter.

Dunbar would force another Rocky Boy fumble and junior Reese Elliot recovered for the 'Beeters. Chinook would put together a nice sustained drive that concluded with a 15 yard option run by Benton Elliot to put Chinook on top 33-0 at the 1:26 mark.

Chinook wasn't done scoring. Hauer intercepted the Stars on the next play from scrimmage and returned it 20 yards for another score. Dumas turned a muffed snap on the conversion attempt into a two-point run and Chinook was up 41-0.

Not done yet, Niederegger forced another Rocky Boy fumble on the final play of the half and junior Ethan Macleod recovered in the end-zone for the 'Beeters third touchdown in the final 1:13 of the half and a 47-0 halftime lead.

Hauer started the second half with his third interception of the contest. After returning the ball to the Rocky Boy two yard line, Hauer finished the job scoring on the 'Beeters first play from scrimmage.

Freshman Levi Jensen added a 60 yard run picking up a great block from junior Damon Hannum along the way. Following another interception, this time by freshman Lane Hassler, the 'Beeters scored again on a five yard run by freshman Brandon Fetter. Niederegger added an acrobatic conversion reception to make the final score 69-6.

Chinook concluded their 2019 season in Chester on Tuesday night. Results will be in next weeks Blaine County Journal.

The Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds take a team picture after concluding their 2019 schedule in Cascade with a 42-40 overtime win over the Badgers.

The Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds concluded their season Friday night in Cascade. The two teams played an entertaining back and fourth contest in the season finale.

Sophomore Tyshawn Shambo got the Thunderbirds on the scoreboard first only to see the Badgers respond immediately and even the score at 6-6.

Sophomore Estevan Granados returned the ensuing kickoff to give the T-Birds back the lead. The teams would enter halftime tied 20-20 following another Shambo rushing score.

Shambo put the Thunderbirds up 28-20 with his third rushing touchdown. Hays/Lodge Pole took a 28-26 lead into the fourth quarter and led 34-26 late in the contest but the Badgers were able to force overtime after a touchdown and successful conversion.

Cascade scored first in the extra frame but the Thunderbirds were able to thwart the two-point attempt. Shambo then scored again for the Thunderbirds and added the conversion run to provide the winning points of a 42-40 Thunderbird win.