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

The Chinook Sugarbeeters were at home this past Saturday for an afternoon contest against a playoff tested team from Culbertson. After battling each other for days on end in the heat the team was ready to hit someone else in live game action.

The 'Beeters scored first to take an early lead and never looked back in a game that was tightly contested start to finish. When the final horn sounded the 'Beeters had secured an impressive 38-32 win over a very talented Cowboy team.

The Cowboys opened the game with a nice drive, slowly marching their way down the field. After a couple of first downs the 'Beeter defense began to find its rhythm. The Cowboys found themselves in a third and fourteen after a couple of penalties. With the drive stalling, the 'Beeter defense stepped up forcing a fumble with 9:36 left in the opening quarter to give up their offense ball.

The 'Beeters relied heavily on the run and capped the drive with a three yard scoring plunge by senior Running Back Tyler Schoen. The conversion kick was missed leaving the home team with a early 6-0 lead.

The 'Beeters forced another fumble moments later as their physical play on defense clearly was affecting the Cowboy backs.

Schoen added a 34 yard scoring run moments later and this time the kick off the foot of senior Lane Hasler found its way through the upright for a 13-0 Chinook lead.

Culbertson answered on their ensuing possession but their attempt at the extra point kick missed its mark leaving the 'Beeters with a 13-6 advantage. The Cowboys added another score with 3:43 left the half, but again missed the conversion attempt sending the teams to halftime with the 'Beeters holding a tenuous 13-12 lead.

Chinook again opened the scoring to start the second half. Chinook continued to pound the ball at the Cowboy defense with Schoen carrying the bulk of the load.

Schoen scored his third touchdown of the contest at the 8:30 mark of the third quarter, this time from 10 yards out. The conversion attempt was no good leaving Chinook up 19-12.

Senior Quarterback Levi Jensen answered the bell next for the 'Beeters, scoring from nine yards out on a nifty run to extend the 'Beeter lead to 25-12. The Cowboys again had an answer, quickly putting six points up on the board and cutting the lead back to seven at 25-18.

Jensen found the end zone again from nine yards out on the 'Beeters next possession to push the lead back to thirteen 31-18. Jensen faked the hand off to Schoen and easily scored on the play.

The Cowboys made things interesting down the stretch scoring quickly to cut the 'Beeter advantage back to six, 31-25. Schoen seemingly put the game away with his fourth touchdown, this one from 26 yards out to give the leaders back a two score lead 38-25 with time winding down.

A quick score cut the margin back to six with 3:34 remaining. After the 'Beeters were forced to punt the Cowboys had the ball back with a chance to tie or score the game winner.

The defense stood tall and back to back sacks from senior Daniel MacLeod on third and fourth down ended the Cowboys hope and secured the 38-32 'Beeters

The 'Beeters were led on the day on both sides of the ball by senior All State Running Back/Linebacker Tyler Schoen. The powerful back carried the ball 28 times for 190 yards and four touchdowns. From his Linebacker position, Schoen recorded 27 total tackles to lead the defense including a sack and a tackle for loss.

Jensen carried the ball eight times from his quarterback position for 39 yards and a couple of touchdowns while Annis toted the rock three times for 28 yards.

Defensively the 'Beeters got huge contributions from several players. Annis tallied 14 total tackles with a sack and two Forced Fumbles. MacLeod finished 11 tackles a fumble recovery and a pair of Sacks to end the game. Sophomore Linebacker Oliver Standiford was solid in his first varsity start recording nine total tackles while also recovering a fumble.

Head coach Mike Jones was plenty happy with what he saw from his team on the football field Saturday afternoon, "I am super impressed with how our boys played. We played extremely physically. We had our seniors step up huge and some young guys as well."

Chinook senior Running Back, Tyler Schoen, delivers a knockdown stiffarm to his would be tackler on his way to a 26 yard scoring run to give the 'Beeters a 38-26 led with time winding down in the fourth quarter. Schoen's late score was his fourth rushing touchdown of the contest.

It all starts with boys in the trenches, "We blocked up front well and that is saying something because Culbertson is a strong physical team and I thought our line blocked well, backs finished runs physically and our Quarterback managed the game extremely well," added Jones.

On the other side of the ball plenty of good things happened as well, "Defensively we tackled well and were able to hold onto the lead. Culberston is a good team that really plays physical and tough. I thought our boys stepped up huge and it was great to get a win on Hoon field," said Jones.

It doesn't get any easier this week as the 'Beeters hit the road for another game against a very solid opponent and playoff team from a season ago as well, " Next week we travel to Park City. They are always a contender in the south and I expect them to be in the mix again this year. We need to sharpen some stuff up on all three sides of the ball and bring that same physicality to the game."