Hi-Line Football Roundup

BIG SANDY — With the postseason drawing closer and closer, there were several key games this weekend in Hi-Line Football.

On Friday night the Northern C 6-Man North Star Knights and Big Sandy Pioneers battled in Big Sandy for postseason positioning. And it was the Pioneers who proved to be the dominant conference team with a 43-0 win to remain undefeated in conference play at 4-0. The Knights fell to 3-3 overall and still have just two conference wins as they still hope to make the playoffs.

A well-rounded team is what gave the Pioneers the edge on Friday.

Their defense played outstanding, their special teams came up big, but most importantly, their offense produced on the ground and in the air, giving the North Star defense trouble all night long.

"The ability to get both ways gave us the edge," Big Sandy head coach Greg King said. "Our lineman, even I the mud tonight had the ability to keep their blocks going and really open up the holes for our running backs. And in the passing game, our receivers have good hands and can catch so that helps a lot. That just keeps the defense from keying on one thing."

The Pioneers took control in the first quarter and didn't let up. They took a 16-0 lead and stretched it to 36-0 at the half. And for good measure, Big Sandy added one score in the third quarter. Justin Stevens rushed for two scores for the Pioneers, one from 57 yards out and the other from one yard out. Lane Martin also had a 73-yard rushing score, while Jesse Bailey had a rushing TD from 65 yards out.

Big Sandy's Kaden Beck also recovered a fumbled snap by the Knights on a punt attempt for a touchdown, and Colter Darlington returned an interception for a 45-yard score.

The No. 7 Pioneers remain undefeated in conference play, and will face Heart Butte on Saturday on the road. The Knight still have a very good shot at the post season and will return to the field on Saturday when they face Stanford-Geyson.

North Star 0 0 0 0 — 0

Big Sandy 16 20 7 0 — 43

BS — Justin Stevens 57 run (Dallas Briese kick)

BS — Lane Martin 73 run (Briese kick)

BS — Justin Stevens 1 run (kick failed)

BS — Colter Darlington 45 interception return (kick failed)

BS — Kaden Beck recovered fumble in end zone (Briese kick)

BS — Jesse Bailey 65 run (Darlinton pass from Briese)

Chester/J-I 36, Belt 6

In Northern C 8-Man football, the Chester/J-I Hawks also had a big game last Thursday, as the Hawks kept their undefeated season alive.

Playing in Belt, the No. 7 Hawks improved to 7-0 on the season with yet another dominating victory. This time, the Hawks defeated Belt 36-6.

Hawks' quarterback Leonard Pugsley had a huge game, rushing for 151 yards and three touchdowns. And Erik Kelly also had a big game, rushing for 201 yards and two scores of his own, as the Hawks turned a 12-6 halftime lead into a 36-6 win.

Pugsley scored on a one-yard run, a three-yard run and a 25-yard run. And Kelly scored on a six-yard run and a two-yard run. Pugsley also completed just two passes for 12 yards, while they turned to the ground to find success.

The Hawks now await their toughest contest of the season, as they will now face the undefeated, reigning Class C state champion Chinook Sugarbeeters in Chester on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

C/J-I 6 6 0 24 – 36

Belt 0 6 0 0 — 6

C/J-I - Kelly 6 run (run failed), 2:29

C/J-I - Pugsley 1 run (run failed), 1:29

BEL - Croff 19 pass from Reavis (pass failed), 0:43

C/J-I - Pugsley 3 run (Kelly run), 8:42

C/J-I - Kelly 2 run (Kelly run), 5:39

C/J-I - Pugsley 25 run (Pugsley run), 3:53

Wolf Point 51, Harlem 8

It wasn't a good weekend however for the Class B Harlem Wildcats.

The Wildcats fell to 1-5 on the season when on the road, Wolf Point defeated the Wildcats 51-8.

Brandon Hammond was the only Wildcat to score for Harlem. Hammond's TD came in the second quarter when he reeled in a 31-yard pass from Bud Buck.

Harlem will get another shot at a win on Friday when they take to the raod to face Plentywood.

Harlem 0 8 0 0 — 8

Wolf Point 19 20 6 6 — 51

WP — Josh Flaten 4 run (PAT failed)

WP — Talor Hanks 60 punt return (Mechiah Zilkoski kick)

WP — Taylor Nygard 3 run (PAT failed)

WP — Jes Hanks 3 run (PAT failed)

WP — Michiah Zilkoski 10 pass from Easton Copenhaver (Mechiah Zilkoski kick)

WP — Easton Copenhaver 31 interception return (Mechiah Zilkoski kick)

HAR — Brendan Hammond 31 pass from Bud Buck (2pt conversion)

WP — Easton Copenhaver 40 interception return (PAT failed)

WP — Jes Hanks 14 run (PAT failed)

Wibaux 62, Hays-Lodge Pole 26

On Saturday, the Eastern C 8-Man Hays-Lodge Pole Thunderbirds suffered another tough loss. Playing on the road, Wibaux defeated the Thunderbirds 62-26. No statistics were provided.

The Thunderbirds will face Culbertson/Bainville on Saturday in Bainville one of two games left in their season.

Big Sandy's Justin Stevens (left) tries to run through a North Star tackler during Friday night's muddy Six-Man showdown between the Pioneers and Knights in Big Sandy.

North Star's Cooper Spicher drops back to pass during Friday night's Six-Man North game in Big Sandy. The Pioneers shut out the visiting Knights.