Back in Black

CHINOOK — There’s just something about the Chinook Sugarbeeters, ice cold conditions and a powerhouse from the Eastern C.

Much like the 2010 Class C state championship game, when the Beeters crushed the Wibaux Longhorns, a new generation of Beeters were up to the same standard Saturday at frigid Hoon Field.

On an afternoon when wind chills dipped to minus-15, the No. 7 Beeters were superior to their foes from the Eastern C as they blasted the No. 2 Fairview Warriors 66-12 in the Class C 8-man semifinals. The win vaults Chinook into this Saturday’s state championship game, where the Beeters will once again face Wibaux. This time, though, the game will be on the Longhorns’ home turf.

But as the sun started to set in Chinook, the attention was on the Beeters’ magical day, in which they rushed for over 300 yards, and raced out to a 38-0 halftime lead. The attention was on a Chinook team which, with each and every game, is making dreams come true.

“Standing on the sidelines during those games back in 2010, it was just outstanding, that was the greatest group of football players Chinook has ever had,” said Chinook senior Lane Seymour. “Back then, I didn’t think I could have ever dreamed that I would get the chance we have now. It’s just awesome. This is the best feeling right now.”

“I’m so proud of these kids,” said Chinook first-year head coach Scott Friede. “They’ve worked so hard. They have gotten better and better every week. But I think most importantly, they’ve continued to believe. They believe in each other. They have just continued to believe and they just keep going. I’m really kind of speechless right now. This is very special.”

And Friede’s Beeters were special Saturday.

After forcing the Warriors, who came into the game with a loss to No. 1 Wibaux as the only blemish on their record, to punt on their first possession, the vaunted Chinook rushing attack went right to work. Gavin Gunderson ripped off two big runs and Chinook was already inside the 5-yard-line. From there, quarterback Ian McIntosh would punch it in from one yard out and the Beeters were quickly up 8-0.

Chinook turned the Warriors over on downs on their next possession, and the Beeters again hit paydirt as McIntosh scored on a 3-yard run.

Fairview had held the ball just twice in the first period, and Chinook was already in front 16-0. It was a sign of things to come on a day when Chinook did everything it wanted to do offensively, and got a herculean effort from its defense, which limited the Warriors, who had averaged over 50 points per game, to just nine first downs and under 200 yards of offense.

“We knew Fairview was a high-scoring team,” Friede said. “They put up a lot of points against a lot of good teams this season. But our defense just played really good football today. They were ready. They were just really focused and they played really well throughout the game. Our defense is very physical. I think they liked the challenge of playing a team like Fairview.”

After forcing the Warriors to punt on the opening possession of the second quarter, Chinook promptly turned the game from a contest into a blowout.

Gunderson scored on a 3-yard run to make the score 22-0. That drive was sparked by big runs by both he and McIntosh. On Chinook’s next possession, it was McIntosh’ turn again, as he broke free on a zone-read play, and scampered 27 yards to the endzone to boost the lead to 30-0 with just 2:32 left in the first half.

But Chinook wasn’t done, and the Beeters went for the jugular on their last possession of the half.

Facing a fourth down, McIntosh dropped back and drilled a 35-yard pass to Seymour. That set up the junior quarterback’s fourth touchdown of the first half, as he scored on a five-yard run on the next play, sending the Beeters into the lockerroom with an improbable 38-0 lead.

“We put in a few new plays this week, to counter their defense,” McIntosh said. “I don’t know, we just executed very well today. I didn’t think we would win by this margin because we knew Fairview is a really good team. But this was our best executed game all year. We just executed very well today.

“I wouldn’t say I’m shocked,” Friede added. “But we did execute at a very high level today. But you know, we had a good feeling before the game. The kids were really relaxed. They weren’t nervous. They just came out ready to play today, and offensively, we executed our game plan very, very well.”

Indeed. The Beeters did what they do best - run the football. And running the ball, controlling the time of possession and getting first downs was at a premium in weather conditions like Saturday at Hoon Field.

And Chinook did it to perfection.

Gunderson scored on a 3-yard run to make the score 22-0. That drive was sparked by big runs by both he and McIntosh. On Chinook’s next possession, it was McIntosh’ turn again, as he broke free on a zone-read play and scampered 27 yards to the endzone to boost the lead to 30-0 with just 2:32 left in the first half.

But Chinook wasn’t done, and the Beeters went for the jugular on their last possession of the half.

Facing a fourth down, McIntosh dropped back and drilled a 35-yard pass to Seymour. That set up the junior quarterback’s fourth touchdown of the first half, as he scored on a five-yard run on the next play, sending the Beeters into the locker room with an improbable 38-0 lead.

“We put in a few new plays this week, to counter their defense,” McIntosh said. “I don’t know, we just executed very well today. I didn’t think we would win by this margin because we knew Fairview is a really good team. But this was our best executed game all year. We just executed very well today.

“I wouldn’t say I’m shocked,” Friede added. “But we did execute at a very high level today. But you know, we had a good feeling before the game. The kids were really relaxed. They weren’t nervous. They just came out ready to play today, and offensively, we executed our game plan very, very well.”

Indeed. The Beeters did what they do best — run the football. And running the ball, controlling the time of possession and getting first downs was at a premium in weather conditions like Saturday at Hoon Field.

And Chinook did it to perfection.

The mercy rule was in effect for the entire second half, but the Beeters just kept on going. McIntosh opened the third quarter with his fifth TD of the day when he hit Seymour for a 55-yard score that made the score 46-0 with 9:41 left. The Warriors answered with a 9-yard TD pass, but it was too little too late.

Chinook came right back with a Thomas Reid 13-yard run to make the score 54-6, while Derek Bell and Tate Niederegger added short TD runs in the fourth quarter. Fairview did score on the game’s final play, but the day belonged to Chinook, which lost to Fairview in the 2011 quarterfinals.

“It’s a dream come true,” Gunderson said. “Everybody wants to go to state. But very few get the opportunity to do it. So it’s a great feeling. I’m just really excited. It all clicked for us today. It’s just amazing.”

It certainly clicked for Gunderson and McIntosh, who both gashed the Fairview defense on the ground. Gunderson finished the game with 124 yards on 19 carries, while McIntosh rushed for 91 yards on 13 carries with four scores. Niederegger added 38 yards on four carries. In the passing game, McIntosh was a perfect 3-for-3 for 114 yards, while Seymour caught two of those passes for 86 yards.

But Chinook played just as well on defense. The Beeters were the more physical team all day long, and they certainly handled the elements much, much better. Bell had 14 total tackles, while Kevin Young had 10 tackles, including a quarterback sack and four hurries. Cody McCracken and Gunderson each had two pass deflections.

Now, with one of the biggest and most impressive wins under their belt, the Beeters will aim even higher when they take on Wibaux in Saturday’s Class C state championship game. It’s a game the Longhorns have probably been waiting four long years for, but it’s one the Beeters believe they’ll be up to the challenge for.

“Everything is just clicking for us right now,” Gunderson said. “And we’re going to try and keep it going. This is amazing and we’re so excited that we’re going to state.”

Saturday’s game between Chinook and Wibaux will kick off at noon in Wibaux.

On to State

Beeters 66, Fairview 12

Fairview 0 0 6 6 - 12

Chinook 16 22 16 12 - 66

CHI - Ian McIntosh 1 run (Gavin Gunderson run)

CHI - McIntosh 3 run (McIntosh run)

CHI - Gunderson 3 run (pass failed)

CHI - McIntosh 27 run (Gunderson run)

CHI - McIntosh 5 run (Gunderson run)

CHI - Lane Seymour 55 pass from McIntosh (Gunderson run)

FV - Hardy 9 pass from Monte Cayko (pass failed)

CHI - Thomas Reid 13 run (Schellin pass from McIntosh)

CHI - Derek Bell 1 run (run failed)

CHI - Tate Niederegger 15 run (pass failed)

FV - Hardy 26 pass from Cayko (pass failed)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: Chinook, Gunderson 19-124, McIntosh 13-91, Niederegger 4-38, Bell 2-17, Kade Friede 1-1, Reid 1-13.

PASSING: Chinook, McIntosh 3-3-0-114.

RECEIVING: Kenny Pruttis 1-28, Lane Seymour 2-86.

Follow the Beeters road to the state champinship all week long with the Havre Daily News