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

The Chinook Sugarbeeters are back this fall with some loft goals in mind and they have the firepower to do something special.

Head Coach Mike Jones is back leading a savvy veteran squad with a good mix of players to fill in the holes.

Returning for the 'Beeters this fall are seniors Damon Hannum, Benton Elliot, Erik Pula, Reese Elliot and Ethan MacLeod. Juniors include Drake Berreth, Hunter Molyneaux, Wyatt Dunbar and Toby Niederegger.

Sophomores looking to contribute in 2020 are Lane Hassler, Levi Jensen, Lane Snider, Brenden Fetter, Tyler Schoen, Braxton Inman, Daniel MacLeod and Flint Annis. Freshman getting their first taste of high school football are Jackson Nordboe, Riley Jorgensen, Isaiah Gillett and Quentin Edwards.

The 'Beeters have one returning All-Conference performer from a season ago, that being junior Toby Niederegger. As a sophomore he was dominate at the wide receiver position earning first team honors. In addition the 'Beeters return nearly a dozen letter winners that will provide plenty of experience.

Jones is now in his third year at the helm of the Sugarbeeter football program and the kids' familiarity with the system has accelerated the process thus far, "Practice has been great. We are three years into this program and the older kids have the culture and procedures down. They are now able to get through the base stuff quickly and we can get to our newer stuff quicker and put more advanced stuff in."

Early season impressions have been observed by Jones, "Our kids willingness to and ability to adapt to all this new information has been incredible. They are going with the flow and taking each week with energy and focus."

With plenty of experience returning there is plenty of leadership in the locker room and Jones is happy with what he has seen, "Erik Pula our returning center has really stepped up. As well as Benton Elliot, Ethan MacLeod, Drake Berreth and Hunter Molyneaux."

Inexperience and adjusting to a new system has caused the 'Beeters into self inflicted setbacks in previous years but Jones expects a lot of those things to be cleared up this fall, "We need to win the turnover battle each week. Also we want to have a bend don't break attitude on defense. Our defense does not want to allow any play over 40 yards. We want to win the subdivision and go undefeated at home."

On the eve of the new season getting underway and playing that first game the 'Beeters seem ready to roll, "Our kids are excited and ready to go. We have a good core group returning and they are just anxious to get out on the field and compete," concluded Jones.

As with other teams along the Hi-line the 'Beeters have moved up their Senior Night celebration to the first home contest of the season.

Chinook got started this past Saturday with a road win over the Park City Panthers 30-24. This coming Friday, September 4, they will have their home opener against the Shelby Coyotes. The game is set to get underway at 7:00 p.m. and the team will recognize their seniors at halftime of the contest.

The Sugarbeeters will have a bye the following week before taking on the Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds in Hays on September 19. Chinook will then stay on the road and face the Chester/Joplin-Inverness Hawks in Chester September 25.

The Sugarbeeters will return to the friendly confines of Hoon Field on October 2 to take on the Simms Tigers in their annual Homecoming contest. The 'Beeters will close out the regular season with a home contest against the Choteau Bulldogs.

The post season is tentative and followers of the Sugarbeeters should check with the school for updates. Scheduled is a seeded playoff game the weekend of October 16-17.

All contest have a start time of 7:00 p.m. with the exception of the game in Hays. The Thunderbird contest is slated for a 1:00 p.m. start time.