Hi-Line Football: Longhorns, Beeters get Northern C wins

The biggest game of the weekend, and perhaps the season took place Friday night when Fort Benton and Belt hooked up in a Northern C showdown. The battle of Top 5 Class C teams was set to be a good one but, in the end, it was nothing more than another Fort Benton blowout win.

The game was close early on with the Longhorns leading just 14-8 at halftime. But from there, Fort Benton's offense caught fire with the Horns' scoring 22 unanswered points in the third quarter and 26 total in the second half.

The win pushed Fort Benton to 4-0 on the season. The Longhorns were set to play Great Falls Central Friday night for Homecoming, but the Mustangs have paused their season for two weeks due to COVID-19.

Chinook 47, HLP 0

Both Chinook and Hays-Lodge Pole were anxious to play their Northern C clash Friday night. Chinook was coming off a tough loss to Shelby two weeks ago, while HLP had to cancel its game at Chester-Joplin-Inverness last week.

But, while both teams were pumped up to play, it was the Sugarbeeters who rolled to a 47-0 win Friday night. Chinook scored 31 unanswered points in the game, and got strong performances from Benton Elliot and Tyler Shane, who rushed for 66 yards on the night. The Beeters improved to 2-1 ahead of this week's showdown at CJI. The Warriors fell to 0-2.

Cascade 64, Rocky Boy 38

In another Friday night Northern C tilt, the Rocky Boy Stars were home to host the Cascade Badgers, and while Rocky Boy's offense put up huge numbers, they couldn't slow down the Badgers in a 64-38 game.

Ben Crebs had a big night at running back for the Stars, who trailed just 24-22 at halftime. But, the Cascade offense exploded for 30 points in the final 24 points, while Rocky Boy scored just twice in the second half, as the Stars fell to 1-2 on the season.

Rocky Boy is back home to host Choteau this Friday.

North Star 48, Box Elder 26

Either the North Star Knights or the Box Elder Bears were going to get their first win of 2020 Saturday. And in the end, it was the Knights who did just that.

Saturday in Box Elder, the Knights stormed past the host Bears 48-26 in a Six-Man North Division showdown, Garrett Spicher was a catalyst for the Knights in the win, as they moved to 1-3 on the season. North Star will return home this Saturday to host the Valier Panthers.

Box Elder fell to 0-2 on the year but did get a top rushing performance for quarterback Kadyn Duran. The Bears will next play at Heart Butte this Saturday.

Speaking of the Warriors, they were set to host Big Sandy this past Saturday in a Six-Man North game, but due to air quality concerns, that game was postponed.

Roundup 60, Harlem 14

The Harlem Wildcats were riding high heading into heir non-conference game at Roundup Friday night. Unfortunately, their two-game winning streak was stopped right there.

In a blowout Friday night, Roundup defeated the Wildcats 60-14. Harlem did get another strong game from Andy Rasmussen, but the Wildcat defense could do little to slow Roundup down.

With the loss, Harlem fell to 2-1 on the season, and will travel to Glasgow Friday night.

Simms 52, CJI 14

The Chester-Joplin-Inverness Hawks were another team excited to get back on the field after having their last game postponed. But, waiting for the Hawks Saturday night was a very good squad in Simms.

And the Tigers didn't take it easy, as they roared past the Hawks 52-14 in a Northern C showdown.

Simms scored 34 unanswered points and led 34-0 at halftime. CJI got on the board in the third quarter, but it wasn't enough as the Tigers pulled away with 18 more points in the final two stanzas.

The loss dropped the Hawks to 0-2 ahead of this Friday night's home game with Chinook.