'Beeters Take Down Hays/Lodge Pole 50-14, Host Chester/J-I for Homecoming Friday

 

September 22, 2021

Sugarbeeter freshman Oliver Standiford brings down Thunderbird Running Back Tyshawn Shambo in first quarter action Friday night.

The Chinook Sugarbeeters welcomed the Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds to town this past Friday in a Northern C football contest. The Sugarbeeters built a big lead early and rode the wave of momentum to a 50-14 win.

The Sugarbeeters have been torching opponents all season long, outscoring opponents 186-58 in building their 4-0 record. Meanwhile the Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds have had to deal with numerous obstacles to even get their season started. First, they delayed the start of practice because of the Pine Grove Wildfire that burned nearly 17,000 acres. The Thunderbirds then struggled with participation numbers before Covid-19 set the program back once again.

Fridays contest marked the first time the Thunderbirds were able to take the field in 2021. With all the adversity the players and coaching staff had to overcome just to get the opportunity, the outcome wasn't as significant as the Thunderbirds actually being able to compete.


Following a punt by the Thunderbirds, the 'Beeters began their first possession of the game at their own 16 yard line. Junior Quarterback Levi Jensen dropped back and delivered a strike to senior Wide Receiver Drake Berreth for a 64 yard scoring strike at the 10:24 mark of the first quarter. The duo connected again for the two-point conversion and a 8-0 'Beeter lead.

The Chinook defense forced a turnover on downs and began their next drive at their own 39 yard line. The 'Beeters continued to attack the Thunderbird defense through the air. Jensen found junior Running Back Tyler Schoen for 11 yards, followed by a eight yard pitch and catch to senior Tight End Oskar Pula.


Jensen and Berreth connected for a nine yard gain, then a three yard pick up to the Thunderbird 5 yard line. The 'Beeters found the end zone again on the next play, a five yard strike from Jensen to Berreth. The conversion attempt was no good leaving the 'Beeters with a 14-0.

Pula booted a perfect line drive onside kick that bounced off a Thunderbird man where junior Lane Hassler quickly covered the loose ball giving the ball back to the 'Beeter offense. Jensen and Pula hooked up for a nine yard gain on first down and then found paydirt on a 30 yard bomb on third down for another 'Beeter touchdown and a 22-0 lead following the two-point conversion from Jensen to senior Toby Niederegger.

The 'Beeter secondary' got into the mix on the ensuing Thunderbird drive when senior Toby Niederegger made a perfect read, intercepting the Thunderbird pass and returning it 29 yards for the defensive touchdown. Senior Hunter Molyneaux added the conversion run to give the 'Beeters a 30-0 lead with 2:26 remaining in the opening quarter.


Chinook continued to bring pressure on defense and it again paid off. Junior Braxton Inman forced a fumble that freshman Landon Beck picked up and returned to the Thunderbird 39 yard line. On the first play from scrimmage Molyneaux took the handoff, blasted through the defensive line and outran his pursuers to the end zone for a 39 yard touchdown run and a 36-0 Chinook lead with 1:01 left in the first quarter.

The Thunderbirds took possession at their own 19 yard line with 9:00 left in the first half and promptly went to work. Junior Fullback William HasEagle rambled 38 yards to the 'Beeter 16 yard line dragging defenders along the way.

Senior Tyshawn Shambo then dropped back and made a nice throw to sophomore William Hughes for a Thunderbird touchdown to make the score 36-6.

The Sugarbeeters added one more touchdown before the half on a 14 yard pitch and catch from Jensen to Niederegger sending the teams to halftime with Chinook on top 42-6.

Chinook senior lineman Wyatt Dunbar scored the 'Beeters final touchdown of the contest on an eight yard run with 8:12 left in the third quarter to become the fifth and final senior to score on 'Senior Night'. Freshman Landon Beck added the two-point conversion to make the score 50-6.

The Thunderbirds would put together another nice drive late. Senior Quarterback Daniel Henry connected with HasEagle for 16 yards. Shambo made some good hard runs, the last being a 13 yard gain to the 'Beeter four yard line. HasEagle finished the drive with a four yard touchdown run to provide the final points of a 'Beeter 50-14 win.

For the 'Beeters, Jensen finished 13-18 for 182 yards and four touchdowns. Jensen has thrown for 15 touchdowns and no interceptions on the season. Molyneaux had a pair of carries for 42 yards and a score as well for the 'Beeter offense.

Berreth caught four balls for 83 yards and a couple of scores. Niederegger hauled in five catches for 38 yards and a touchdown while Pula added a touchdown and 39 yards on two catches.

The 'Beeter defense forced five turnovers led by Niederegger's 29 yard interception touchdown return. Hassler, Beck, freshman Oliver Standiford and junior Inman all recovered fumbles.

"I thought we executed well and were able to have a true team effort," stated 'Beeter Head Coach Mike Jones. "I think that we were able to execute as a cohesive team no matter who was in the game. We have a tough couple weeks coming up and we are coming off a game where we were able to execute our game plan effectively. This team is a great group of guys who work well and communicate effectively as a unit."

Sugarbeeter senior Oskar Pula races to the end zone for a 30 yard receiving touchdown that put the 'Beeters up 22-0.

The 'Beeters will host the Chester/Joplin-Inverness Hawks Friday night as they celebrate Homecoming 2021.

 
 

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