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

The Chinook Sugarbeeters have run over their opponents in each of their wins this season and Friday night in Harlem they used the ground game to their advantage once again. Chinook jumped out to a 50-8 lead before the Wildcats added a few late points to make the final tally 50-28.

The rain came down hard prior to the start of the contest making the field conditions a little less than desirable. Both teams struggled with wet balls and muffed snaps.

The 'Beeters started with a fumbled snap over the quarterback's head giving the ball to Harlem right off the bat. The 'Beeter defense controlled the line of scrimmage all night long and quickly forced the Wildcats to punt after losing nine yards to start the drive.

Chinook touched the ball as it rolled into the end zone where Harlem junior Troy Longknife fell on the loose ball for a Wildcat touchdown. Junior Quarterback Leon Champagne executed a perfect bootleg for the conversion and an early 8-0 Harlem lead.

From that point on it was all Chinook as the Wildcats didn't have an answer to the 'Beeter rushing attack and couldn't gain an inch against the 'Beeter defensive front.

The 'Beeter offense had a quick response. Senior Running back Tyler Schoen picked up 23 yards to move the ball deep in Wildcat territory. Schoen then punched it into the end zone with a three yard plunge. Following the conversion run from Schoen the game was even at 8-8.

The Wildcats began their next possession at their own 16 yard line. Senior 'Beeter defensive linemen Braxton Inman and Daniel MacLeod penetrated into the Harlem back field for losses of four and six yards on first and second down. Harlem was forced to punt with their backs against their own end zone. MacLeod again broke through, blocking the punt leading to a recovery by senior Flint Annis in the end zone and a 14-8 lead.

Chinook again forced the Wildcats to punt after a three and out. The 'Beeters took over at their own 26 yard line to begin their next drive. Schoen gained eight yards on a first down. Senior Quarterback Levi Jensen followed with a 24 yard gain and a couple of plays later Schoen again found the end zone, this time after a 32 yard sprint breaking a couple of tackles along the way. Jensen added the conversion run to give Chinook a 22-8 lead at the start of the second quarter.

The teams would trade possessions with junior Defensive End Thomas Champagne recovering another 'Beeter fumble. MacLeod and sophomore Hendrix Doney combined for three straight stops in the Wildcat backfield to turn the ball back over to the 'Beeter offense.

The snap again went over Jensen's head but this time the 'Beeter Quarterback was able to secure the ball and weave his way to the end zone for a 56 yard touchdown scamper. Jensen connected with sophomore receiver Landon Beck for the conversion and a 30-8 Chinook advantage.

The Wildcats then had trouble with the snap themselves, resulting in Inman forcing a fumble out of bounds at the Harlem four yard line. The very next play, Beck punched it in from four yards out for a 36-6 'Beeter lead.

The half would end after another three and out from the Wildcat offense. Chinook dominated the ground game on both sides of the ball, gaining 184 yards on the ground themselves while limiting the Wildcats to -65 yards rushing. With 16 plays going for negative yards.

The second half began with a couple of short runs from Jensen and Beck as well as a four yard pass from Jensen to Doney. Schoen's first and only carry of the second half was a 33 yard touchdown run. After a successful conversion the 'Beeters had opened up a 44-8 advantage.

The Wildcats first possession of the second half culminated with Chinook senior Lane Hasler coming up with a sack, forcing a fumble that was picked up by Inman at the five and returned for the 'Beeters final touchdown of the contest and a 50-8 lead with time running down in the third quarter.

Adams finally broke lose for the Wildcats, scoring on a 59 yard scamper. The Wildcats added a Safety to their point total when the 'Beeter snapped the ball out of the end zone to make the score 50-16.

Adams scored again late in the fourth quarter, this time from five yards out. Harlem successfully executed an onside kick with the clock running down. Champagne the found freshman Ki-iw Windy Boy for a 15 yard pitch and catch proving the final points in a 50-28 Chinook win.

Schoen led the 'Beeter rushing attack with 106 yards on eight carries and three touchdowns. Jensen added 99 yards on eight carries for a score and Beck added a touchdown and 25 yards on seven carries.

Defensively Schoen led the 'Beeters with 11 total tackles. Macleod controlled the line of scrimmage with 9 total tackles including four sacks and three more tackled for loss. Inman and Doney each tallied eight tackles apiece in the win.

Offensively for the Wildcats, Adams carried the ball 18 times for 32 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Champagne completed three of five pass attempts for 46 yards and a touchdown to Windy Boy.

'Beeter senior defensive lineman Daniel MacLeod made a living in the Wildcats backfield all night long. MacLeod recorded four sacks, three tackles four loss and forced a fumble in the win.

Chinook Head Coach Mike Jones was satisfied with his team's performance, "It was good to get out with a win last week, especially with the weather. I think we came out relatively healthy and got a lot of experience for some of our kids. Definitely have some stuff to clean up and work on going forward."

Looking forward to this Friday Jones said, "Fort Benton this week is going to be a physical and tough match-up. We both like to run the ball. They are physical and have a good pass defense. We need to make sure that we play physical and swarm them defensively. Offensively we need to take care of the ball and limit the penalties."

Wildcats Head Coach Trenton Woodward addressed his team by stating, "We need to have kids that can make the plays when their numbers are called. We can't let teams break tackles or leak through the line the way we did and expect to win. This next week we're on the road going to Circle to play Broadus. It's another good team and we have to show up to play."