'Beeters Improve to 3-0, Score Early and Often in 44-6 Win Over the Harlem Wildcats

 

September 15, 2021

Sugarbeeter freshman Landen Beck gets to the edge for a good gain during second quarter action Friday night against the Wildcats.

The last time the Chinook Sugarbeeters and Harlem Wildcats met on the football field for a Varsity contest was way back in 2003 when both schools were part of the Northern B. This past Friday, on a beautiful night at Hoon field, the two schools met again, this time as members of the Northern C Eight-player division.

The Sugarbeeters have got off to a blistering start, winning their first two contests in impressive fashion over a pair of quality football teams. The Harlem Wildcats have been shorthanded, but getting stronger each day. The Wildcats are doing their best to adjust to the Eight-player game while starting 1-1 on the season.

The Sugarbeeters started fast, jumping out to a 20-0 lead just five minutes into the contest and never looked back in a 44-6 win to improve to 3-0 on the season. The Wildcats did some nice things in the game and took another step forward in becoming a competitive football team.

The opening kickoff had the Sugarbeeters kicking away to the Wildcats. The 'Beeter kick coverage team raced down the field and forced a Harlem fumble that senior Oskar Pula fell on, giving the Chinook offense the ball on the Harlem 26 yard line. Junior quarterback Levi Jensen connected with senior Wideout Drake Berreth for nine yards on second down. Junior Tyler Schoen rambled for 13 more yards and Jensen raced to the end zone for the last five to score the first touchdown of the contest. Jensen added the two-point conversion to put Chinook up 8-0 just 1:03 into the game.

The 'Beeter defense stood tall and forced a Wildcat punt on the ensuing possession turning the ball back over to the 'Beeter offense at their own 39 yard line. Jensen dropped back on first down and tossed a deep ball down the left side line for senior Toby Niederegger who made a spectacular leaping catch for a 30 yard gain to the Wildcat 11 yard line. Schoen found paydirt on the next play from scrimmage to put Chinook on top 14-3 with 8:43 remaining in the opening quarter.

Harlem was again forced to punt the ball away to the 'Beeters when Niederegger hauled the ball in at the Chinook 22 yard line and weaved his way through the Wildcat defense for a 58 yard punt return touchdown to give Chinook a 20-0 advantage at the 7:05 mark of the first quarter.

Chinook junior Lane Hassler recovered a Harlem fumble on the Wildcats next possession, turning the ball over to the Sugarbeeters at the Wildcat 15. Harlem stood tall on defense and made a solid stand in forcing Chinook into a turnover on downs. Chinook would get the ball back late in the first quarter and find the end zone one more time. Jensen connected with Niederegger for a 27 yard touchdown toss. Freshman Tailback Landon Beck ran in the two-point conversion for a 28-0 'Beeter lead with 2:06 left in the first quarter.

The Wildcat offense struggled to get anything going on offense and were forced into a punting situation at their own 10 yard line. Wildcat senior Mikkel Rider dropped back in punt formation. The snap sailed over his head and Chinook junior Braxton Inman recovered the fumble at the Wildcat one yard line.

Jensen took the snap from center, turned right and fired a dart to Berreth for an easy one yard touchdown pass. Junior Flint Annis added the conversion run to put Chinook on top 36-0 with 9:02 left in the first half.

The big lead gave the 'Beeters the opportunity to start mixing in younger players with the veterans to get them some quality varsity experience. On the very next Wildcat possession, the 'Beeter defense again rose to the occasion. Inman had a huge night for the 'Beeters, making the most of his opportunity on the field. Rider dropped back to pass but the Wildcat offensive line gave way to a relentless rush and Inman sacked Rider in the end zone for a Safety and a 38-0 Chinook lead at the 7:30 mark of the second quarter.

The Wildcats were able to get some things done late in the half on offense as junior Runningback Amari Stanley made some nice runs for good gains picking up a couple of first downs for the offense. Harlem's defense buckled down and forced the 'Beeters to punt when they had the ball. Neither team would score before the half sending the teams to halftime with Chinook on top 38-0.

Chinook would start the second half with another sustained drive that culminated with a 14 yard touchdown run from Schoen.

The Wildcats would get on the board midway through the fourth cover when senior defensive lineman Dalray Begay recovered a 'Beeter fumble in the end zone.

The Sugarbeeters secured a third straight win, 44-6 over the Wildcats. Jensen threw for two scores in the win. Niederegger finished with two catches for 57 yards and a score to go with a 58 yard punt return. Schoen carried the ball five times for 69 yards and a pair of touchdowns, Freshman Landon Beck totaled 10 carries on the night for 27 yards. Inman led the defensive effort with seven total tackles, two for loss, three quarterback sacks a fumble recovery and a forced fumble.

Chinook junior Flint Annis dives for extra yards during the 'Beeters 44-6 win over the Wildcats.

Chinook Head Coach Mike Jones had plenty of good things to say about his team, "I think that we had a total team effort. We were able to get through our game plan and then allow our other players to get valuable playing time. The fact that we have enough depth to be able to sub some guys and get them in other positions speaks volumes to the player leadership that we have, as well as the assistant coaches getting all our players coached up well with technique within our system. We have guys that push each other in practice and that helps the program all around. Our guys are not selfish at all, they want the other players to push them and trust in each other to execute their individual responsibilities."

Harlem Head Coach Ken Bigby addressed his teams performance, "We need to improve on the offensive line. We had our center go down early in the game and that hurt us. We are still waiting for our injured to get better and we will get more players when eligibility checkup is complete. I am looking for improvement on the line as well as the backfield. We will get things figured out in the near future. I'm looking forward to next weekend in Shelby."

 
 

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