Hi-Line Football Roundup: Big Sandy advances to semifinals, CJI falls to Bridger in Six-Man Playoffs

The Six-Man Football Playoffs continued this past weekend as the Big Sandy and Chester-Joplin-Inverness football teams competed in the quarterfinals. Both teams looked to advance to the semifinals, but tough opponents stood in front of both of them this past Saturday.

On Saturday in Big Sandy, the Big Sandy Pioneers pulled out a 25-20 victory over Custer-Hysham-Melstone to advance to this weekend’s semifinals. The Pioneers were tested by the Rebels as this was by far the closest game for Big Sandy this season.

In the first half, it looked like the Pioneers had another dominant victory in store. In the first half, they took a 6-0 lead when Braydon Cline ran the ball for a 15-yard touchdown run. To start the second quarter, Cline continued to dominate on the ground with a 47-yard touchdown run.

Cline later moved the ball through the air with a 19-yard touchdown strike to Lance Rutledge to give Big Sandy a 19-0 lead heading into halftime. But the Rebels came out strong to start the second half.

Layne Duncan got the Rebels on the scoreboard with a 29-yard touchdown throw to Alex Russell. Later in the third quarter, Duncan threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Grebe to cut Big Sandy’s lead to 19-13.

The Pioneers finally responded later in the third with a 23-yard touchdown run from Cooper Taylor to make it 25-13 heading to the fourth quarter. But in the final frame, the Pioneers were shut down on offense.

The Rebels cut into the lead with a four-yard touchdown run from Grebe to make it 25-20. But the Pioneers were able to hold the Rebels scoreless the rest of the game to pull out the victory to stay alive in the postseason.

The Pioneers finished the game with 326 total yards of offense, with 246 yards coming on the ground. Cline led the team with 147 yards and two touchdowns on just 13 carries. He also threw every pass for Big Sandy as he went 8-for-22 for 80 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Against a tough Big Sandy defense, the Rebels recorded 295 total yards of offense. It was a balanced attack as they had 165 passing yards and 130 rushing yards. However, the Big Sandy defense still recorded three takeaways against the Pioneers.

With the win, the Big Sandy Pioneers remain undefeated on the season and will now advance to the semifinals. The Big Sandy Six-Man football team will face Bridger at home this Saturday at 1 p.m. for a spot in the state championship.

CHM - 0 0 13 7 - 20

BS - 6 13 6 0 - 25

BS - Braydone Cline 15 yd run (kick failed)

BS - Cline 47 yd run (kick failed)

BS - Cline 19 pass to Lance Rutledge (Gasvoda run)

CHM - Layne Duncan 29 pass to Alex Russell (run)

CHM - Duncan 12 pass to Bryce Grebe (run failed)

BS - Cooper Taylor 23 yd run (run failed)

CHM - Grebe 4 yd run (pass)

Bridger 36, CJI 26

After winning a double-overtime thriller to start the postseason, the CJI Six-Man football team got the chance to host its quarterfinal game at Chester Saturday afternoon. However, the Hawks’ homefield did not help them as they lost, 36-26, to Bridger to end the season.

In the first quarter, it looked like the Hawks and Scouts would go back and forth all day. Both teams scored a touchdown in the first quarter, but the Hawks converted their point after to have an 8-6 lead to end the frame.

The second quarter followed a similar pattern with both teams scoring touchdowns in the frame. Heading into halftime, the Hawks’ prospects looked good as they led 14-12.

But the game was decided in the third quarter. Just like the first two quarters, the Hawks scored once in the quarter. But the Rebels got their offense rolling to the tune of 16 points in the quarter. With that run in the quarter, the Rebels now had a 28-20 lead.

The fourth quarter felt more like the first two quarters with both teams just scoring a touchdown. But that meant the Hawks did not score enough to come back and their season came to an end.

Bridger will advance to face Big Sandy in the semifinals this Saturday. While CJI’s season came to a disappointing end, it was a strong year for the Hawks. In the regular season, the Hawks went 6-2 to earn the Central No. 3 seed in the postseason. Then in their playoff opener on the road, the Hawks defeated Hot Springs, 55-54, in double overtime.

BRI - 6 6 16 8 - 36

CJI - 8 6 6 6 - 26