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

The Chinook Sugarbeeters were looking to bounce back after suffering their first loss of the season the previous week. In doing so the boys headed west to Choteau Friday night to face the Bulldogs of the Northern C 'A' Subdivision. When all was said and done the 'Beeters had picked up a 55-18 win to improve to 6-1.

The Sugarbeeters forced a punt from the Bulldogs on their opening drive after being able to get nowhere with the run. Senior Toby Niederegger fielded the Bulldog punt at about the 'Beeter 22 yard line and ran it back to midfield.

The 'Beeters entered the contest a bit shorthanded as junior Quarterback Levi Jensen was in concussion protocol. Head Coach Mike Jones said Jensen would be ready to practice Monday and good to go next week. In Jensen's absence, senior Drake Berreth took control of the 'Beeter offense at Quarterback after playing the first six games at Wide Receiver.

Berreth got the ball rolling on their first possession handing the ball to Niederegger for a five yard gain on first down. The 'Beeters followed with a run by senior Runningback Hunter Molyneaux who plowed his way through the Choteau defense for a 30 yard gain down to the Bulldog five yard line.

Berreth faked the handoff to Molyneaux on third down and rolled out the opposite direction for a stand up one yard scoring run. Berreth zipped the ball to Niederegger for the conversion and a 8-0 lead at the 7:41 mark of the first quarter.

The 'Beeter defense forced the Bulldogs into a punting situation immediately on the their next possession. An errant snap led to the 'Beeters taking over at the Bulldog 18 yard line.

Facing a 3rd and 7 from the Bulldog 15, Berreth dropped back in the pocket and the nifty left hander lobbed a perfectly thrown ball to senior Wide Receiver Oskar Pula. Pula tapped the toes right near the sideline for another 'Beeter touchdown. Molyneaux added the conversion to put Chinook up 16-0 with 6:14 left in the opening quarter.

After trading possessions the Bulldogs took over at their own 27 yard line. The 'Beeters have been prone to giving up the big play this season and were bitten once again late in the first quarter with Choteau scoring from 53 yards out. The Bulldogs failed on the conversion attempt making the score 16-6 in favor of the 'Beeters.

Chinook would take over with time running down in the opening stanza. The 'Beeters have proven to be able to score fast all season with a dozen drives for touchdowns in less than a minute. With :02 remaining in the quarter Molyneaux crossed the goal line completing a 51 yard scoring run. Berreth went deep in the playbook and executed a perfect jump pass to Pula for the conversion and a 24-6 lead heading into quarter number two.

The Bulldogs responded with a slow methodical drive that took more than four minutes off the clock. After all of that the 'Beeter defense stood tall and forced a turnover on downs to give the offense the ball back at their own 37 yard line with 7:30 on the first half clock.

Berreth picked up 12 yards on first down to push the 'Beeters into Choteau territory to start the drive. Following a holding penalty that set the 'Beeters back. Junior Runningback Tyler Schoen took the handoff, broke three tackles and then out ran the defense to the end zone on a 34 yard touchdown run. Berreth added the conversion to put Chinook up 32-6 with six minutes left in the half.

The Bulldogs again hit the big play, scoring on a 47 yard scamper on their next possession. The conversion was no good leaving the score at 32-12.

Molyneaux picked up 16 yards to move the 'Beeters into Bulldog territory. Two plays later Berreth ran a perfect option, pitching the ball to Molyneaux just as he got tattooed. Molyneaux hauled the pitch in and raced to the end zone for another 34 yard scoring run. The conversion was no good, making the score 38-12 with two-minutes remaining in the first half.

Facing a 3rd and 17 the Bulldog quarterback dropped back only to be sacked at the 15 yard line by Schoen. The 'Beeters called time out with :25 remaining to give the quick strike 'Beeter offense a chance but a missed field goal as time expired sent the teams to the half with Chinook on top 38-12.

The teams traded possessions to start the second half taking four minutes off the game clock. Chinook started their second possession at their own 27 and went to work. Berreth started right, spun back left and raced through the Choteau defense for a 20 yard gain to the Bulldog 38 yard line.

Berreth then avoided pressure and flipped the ball to Molyneaux as he was going down for an 18 yard pickup to the Bulldog 20. Molyneaux took the handoff from Berreth, followed a great block by Niederegger and found paydirt once again, this time from 14 yards out. Berreth added another conversion run to put Chinook up 46-12 with 5:37 left in the third quarter.

The Sugarbeeters forced the Bulldogs into a turnover on downs putting the offense back in business at midfield. After a mix of run and pass the 'Beeters found themselves 4th and 3 at the Bulldog five yard line.

In something that you don't see often in Class C Eight-man football, the 'Beeters kicked a field goal. Berreth took the snap from center, placed it perfectly at the 13 yard line and Pula knocked it through the uprights for a successful 23 yard Field Goal to make the score 49-12 late in the third quarter.

The teams headed to the fourth quarter with the 35 point mercy rule in place, meaning a running clock the remainder of the way.

The Bulldogs added a late score following a 'Beeter interception, returning the ball to the Chinook four yard line. Choteau scored moments later to make the score 49-18 with 6:26 left in the contest.

Facing 4th and 6 from the Bulldog 34 yard line, freshman Quarterback Hendrix Doney threw a perfect pass over the top of the defense to junior Lane Hassler for the scoring strike. The conversion was no good, leaving the score at 55-18 with time running down, making it the final score of the contest.

The 'Beeters were led offensively through the air by Berreth who completed 7-13 for 62 yards a touchdown and a pair of two-point conversions. Doney was 2-3 for 38 yards and a touchdown.

Senior Drake Berreth has worn many hats for the 'Beeters this fall. Berreth leads the defense in interceptions, has had a spectacular season catching the ball and has even rushed for a couple of scores. Friday he was asked to play Quarterback for the 'Beeters and stepped in admirably, throwing his first touchdown pass of his career.

On the ground, Molyneaux carried seven times for 113 yards and a pair of scores while Schoen scored twice on just three carries for 77 yards. Berreth added thirteen carries of his own for 69 yards and a touchdown.

Niederegger caught three balls for 21 yards and a conversion. Pula added a touchdown and 19 yards on a couple of catches. Hassler scored his first touchdown and gained 38 yards on two catches.

Defensively Schoen led the way with 11 tackles, six for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Junior Braxton Inman had six tackles, three for loss.

"Overall it was a great team effort. I thought that our ground game was excellent and we were able to rush the ball with multiple people and keep the defense guessing. Drake stepped in and had a great game at QB for us," stated Jones.

The 'Beeters have a big game this Saturday, "Cascade going to run the ball, they have a good QB and run game. We need to make sure that our defense is ready and plays physical. I think our boys are going to come ready and make sure that they are prepared both on film and on the practice field. This is a big game for us because the winner gets either the 3-4 seed for the North in the playoffs.