Hi-Line Football: On to the semis for Pioneers, Longhorns

Six-Man football has seen many teams looking to make a championship title run in 2019, but none have been more dominant than the Big Sandy Pioneers.

The Pioneers have maintained an undefeated record throughout the season and have continued it into the postseason.

And Big Sandy kept it that way after a blowout victory over the Roy-Winifred Outlaws last Saturday in Big Sandy. The Pioneers won 60-6. The Pioneers dominated their competition once more to advance to the semifinals and are one step closer to the title game.

Senior running back Kade Strutz opened Big Sandy's scoring streak with two separate rushing touchdowns, one for seven-yards and the other for 23-yards. Then, Christopher Burns ran in for a one-yard score, followed soon after by another Strutz score, a 24-yard rushing touchdown. The Pioneers led 31-0 at the end of the first quarter. Strutz scored two more times to kick off the second quarter. The first a seven-yard run to the endzone followed by a 32-yard rushing touchdown. The Pioneers led at the half 45-0.

Big Sandy kept it going with a Kody Strutz five-yard pass to Lance Rutledge for another six. Then, Roy-Winifred found its first points in the third quarter with a Bobo Adorni 13-yard rushing touchdown to avoid the shutout 53-6. The Pioneers scored one last time from a Braydon Kline to Rutledge 18-yard pass to cap off the win 60-6.

Big Sandy racked up 307 rushing yards, 28 passing yards, 32 tackles and three sacks. Strutz rushed for five touchdowns and put up 150 yards. Rutledge had two receiving-touchdowns and 28 receiving-yards. It was a big day for the Pioneers, but they are not done yet.

With another big win, Big Sandy stays undefeated and moves ahead to the Six-Man semifinals against the Jordan Mustangs. Jordan has been a tough opponent for many teams and will look to get the jump of the Pioneers to advance to the championship game.

Big Sandy kicks off against Jordan Saturday in Jordan.

Big Sandy 31 14 8 7 – 60

Roy-Winifred 0 0 6 0 – 6

BSY - Kade Strutz 7 run (PAT good)

BSY - Kade Strutz 23 run (PAT good)

BSY - Christopher Burns 1 run (PAT good)

BSY - Kade Strutz 24 run (Conversion good)

BSY - Kade Strutz 7 run (PAT good)

BSY - Kade Strutz 32 run

BSY - Lance Rutledge 5 pass from Kody Strutz (PAT good)

RW - Bobo Adorni 13 run

BSY - Lance Rutledge 18 pass from Braydon Cline

BSY - Kody Strutz 3 run

Fort Benton 33, Park City 30

The playoff run continued for the Fort Benton High football team as the Longhorns outlasted the Park City Panthers last Saturday in Fort Benton, 33-30.

Fort Benton has played a few tough teams throughout the season and the 8-1 Panthers were a team that gave the Longhorns a late scare in the game. But Fort Benton was able to escape the Park City comeback attempt and move on to the semifinal match.

Fort Benton started off the game with the first touchdown, a 24-yard pass from quarterback Garett Diekhans to Jace Thompson. But, Park City followed with a Garrett Zimdars 40-yard run and a conversion to take the lead 8-7. The Panthers did not score the rest of the first half.

The Longhorns then took a big lead with four scores. The first was a Diekhans 24-yard pass to William Ullery and a good PAT. The second was a Thompson three-yard rushing touchdown, followed by two separate touchdown catches by Thompson from Diekhans for 31 and 37-yards to lead at the half 26-8.

The Longhorns scored again to lead 33-8 at the end of the third, but Park City then exploded on a streak to try and comeback against Fort Benton. It started with a Carson Baker one-yard run, then a Baker to Zimdars connection for another touchdown. Baker connected once more to Tucker Johnstone to get close to the Longhorns lead 33-30.

In the end, Fort Benton came away with a close win and a trip to the semifinal game in the Class C 8-Man playoffs.

The Longhorns will face the No. 1 seed from the East, Fairview. Fairview is another favorite, along with Fort Benton, for a championship title and the game will surely be a tough one for the Longhorns. It is the clash of the undefeated.

Fort Benton (8-0) kicks off against Fairview (8-0) Saturday in Fairview.

Fort Benton 7 26 7 0 – 33

Park City 8 0 0 22 – 30

FTB - Jace Thompson 24 pass from Garett Diekhans (PAT good)

PCY - Garrett Zimdars 40 run (Conversion good)

FTB - William Ullery 24 pass from Garett Diekhans (PAT good)

FTB - Jace Thompson 3 run (PAT good)

FTB - Jace Thompson 31 pass from Garett Diekhans (Conversion no good)

FTB - Jace Thompson 37 pass from Garett Diekhans (Conversion no good)

PCY - Carson Baker 1 run (Conversion good)

PCY - Garrett Zimdars 12 pass from Carson Baker (Conversion no good)

PCY - Tucker Johnstone 20 pass from Carson Baker (Conversion good).