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

The No. 4 Chinook Sugarbeeters were in Fort Benton this Friday for a huge Northern C Eight-man football contest. Chinook came into the contest with a perfect 4-0 record while the Longhorns sported a 3-1 mark with their lone setback coming to the Belt Huskies.

Fort Benton celebrated their seniors prior to the start of the contest and crowned their homecoming royalty at halftime bringing plenty of energy to the field. Chinook entered the contest on a roll and were looking add to that momentum with a big road win in Fort Benton. The Sugarbeeters did just that, scoring first and maintaining steady control throughout the contest in securing a hard fought 24-12 win over the Longhorns.

The 'Beeters started a bit slow offensively, having a turnover on downs and a punt on their first two possessions. The defense however was impressive from the get-go once again. Chinook forced the Longhorns to punt on their first possession. When the defense took the field for the second time, senior Lane Hasler forced a Longhorn fumble recovered by senior Flint Annis to give the ball back to the offense. The 'Beeter defense stood tall once again late in the quarter, forcing another three and out that resulted in an errant snap on the punt and 'Beeter ball on the Longhorn 32 yard line.

Senior Quarterback, Levi Jensen, took off for a nine yard gain on first down setting up the 'Beeter offense deep in Fort Benton territory. Senior Running Back, Tyler Schoen, took the snap from Jensen started left, broke a few tackles and sprinted through the Longhorn defense for a 23 yard touchdown to put the 'Beeters on top 6-0 with :43 left in the opening quarter. Fort Benton answered right back, connecting on a 48 yard pitch and catch to start the second quarter, evening the score at 6-6.

After a scoreless game for the first 11:17, the 'Beeters quickly added the third score of the contest in seventy seconds. Chinook was penalized for an illegal block on the Longhorn kickoff placing the ball at the 'Beeter nine yard line. Jensen took the snap, turned to his left where he deceptively handed the ball to Schoen. Everyone watching seemed to follow Schoen as he completed the act, running to left side of the 'Beeter line.

Jensen, however had executed the perfect fake, pulling the ball from Schoen and rolling back to his right. The 'Beeter coaching staff didn't even realize Jensen still had the ball until they saw him racing down the sideline in front of them with no one within thirty yards of him for a 71 yard touchdown and a 12-6 Chinook lead.

Senior Lineman, Daniel MacLeod fell on a loose ball by the Longhorns recovering the fumble at the Fort Benton 37 yard line. Schoen and Jensen had five and four yard runs to start the drive. Jensen then found Annis in the middle of the field for a 10 yard gain setting the offense up at the Longhorn 18 yard line.

Schoen picked up eight yards on first down setting up a first and goal situation at the 10 yard line. Jensen dropped back in shot gun took the snap moved to his right a bit and found Schoen for a 10 yard touchdown reception. Chinook's struggles with the conversion attempt was again unsuccessful leaving the score at 18-6.

The Longhorns again answered quickly, returning the ensuing kickoff 69 yards for a touchdown of their own. Fort Benton failed again on their second conversion attempt in cutting the 'Beeter lead to 18-12 just before the end of the first half.

Sophomore Landon Beck began the second half for the 'Beeters by igniting the offense with a 42 yard kickoff return all the way down to the Fort Benton 28 yard line. Schoen picked up nine yards on first and second down to start the drive. Jensen picked up the first down with a five yard run setting the 'Beeter offense up at the Longhorn 15. A couple of runs and a short pass led to a seven yard touchdown run by Schoen to start the second half. Chinook again missed the conversion, making the score 24-12 with 7:03 left in the third quarter.

The 'Beeter defense continued to shine bright under the Friday night lights forcing yet another three and out by the Longhorns. The 'Beeters ran some clock before punting the ball back to Fort Benton. MacLeod again made a huge play for the defense stopping the Longhorn back five yards behind the line of scrimmage.

Chinook turned the ball back over to Fort Benton with a fumble, but the defense answered the call and turning the ball back over to the 'Beeter offense with 8:33 remaining. The offensive line allowed the 'Beeter to control the clock with the run, taking 6:12 off the game clock before turning the ball over the Longhorns with 2:22 left in the contest. Jensen intercepted the Longhorns on second down, return the ball back to the Fort Benton 14 yard line sealing the 24-12 'Beeter win.

Chinook was led on the night by Schoen with 116 yards and a Touchdown on 32 carries. Schoen also caught three balls for 30 yards and a Touchdown. Jensen racked up 105 yards and a pair of scores while also completing 7-12 passes for 59 yards and a Touchdown. Chinook finished with 270 yards of total offense in the win.

Defensively the 'Beeters were led by Schoen with 13 total tackles. Annis and Hasler each tallied nine on the night, Annis also forced a fumble while Hasler had one fumble recovery. Jensen added an interception as well. The 'Beeter defense limited the Longhorns to just 100 yards of total offense with nearly half of that coming on the one big pass. The Longhorns had 52 yards rushing on 28 attempts and completed just 1-12 passes for 48 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Senior Quarterback Levi Jensen sprints free to the end zone for a 71 yard touchdown. Jensen's fake was so good not even the 'Beeter coaching staff realized he had the ball until they saw him all alone sprinting down the sideline in front of them. Jensen finished with 105 yards and two touchdowns on the ground

The 'Beeters improved to 5-0 on the season and will now head to Lincoln this Friday to play a neutral site contest against Mullen/St. Regis in a game just added to fill the void left by the Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds canceling their Season. Mullen/St. Regis plays its home games in Idaho and has won four straight following a 50-32 loss to Superior (Mt.) to start the season.

Chinook will then be in Rocky Boy on Friday, October 7 to take on the Northern Stars. Chinook will close out the regular season on Friday, October 14 in a winner take all battle against the Belt Huskies. The finale with the Huskies will be the 'Beeters Senior Night and they will be recognized at halftime

The Chinook Sugarbeeters, currently ranked No. 4 in the state, and the No. 2 ranked Belt Huskies have both been near the top of the State Class C Football polls all season long. Both have already locked up playoff spots in the Class C Eight-man 16 team State Tournament. The winner of this contest will begin the post season as the North No. 1 and host a first round playoff game against the No. 3 Seed out of the West. The loser will be the North No. 2 Seed and hit the road for a first round playoff contest against the No. 2 Seed from the Central.