Hi-Line Football Roundup: Pioneers win an overtime thriller

Another prep football regular season has come to end, but like always, a handful of solid Hi-Line squads earned playoff berths.

Last Tuesday, the Class C 8-Man Chester-J/I Hawks clinched the Northern C divisional title with a 74-0 stomping of Cascade. The Hawks finished the regular season with a 9-0 conference record and as the No. 1 team in the conference.

Tuesday's game was basically over in the first quarter, as the Hawks couldn't be stopped from start to finish. Erik Kelly and Justin May both turned in 100-yard rushing games, and also found pay dirt three times each. And Kelly sored all three of his touchdowns in the first quarter, rushing for scores from 25, 14, and 4-yards out as the Hawks led 28-0 after one quarter of play.

The trend continued, with the Hawks rolling to a 22 point second quarter, an eight point third, and a 16 point fourth quarter.

May scored on a 10-yard rush, a three-yard rush, and a 53-yard rush, while Mike Henke also reeled in a 25-yard pass from Dustin Romain. Jordan Oraw scored on an 11–yard run and a two-yard run, and Steven May scored on a seven-yard pass from Brandon Richter.

The Hawks will open up post-season play with a home contest against Drummond.

Cascade 0 0 0 0 – 0

Chester/J-I 28 22 8 16 – 74

C/J-I—Erik Kelly 25 run (Jordan Oraw run)

C/J-I —Mike Henke 27 pass from Dustin Romain (run failed)

C/J-I —Erik Kelly 14 run (run failed)

C/J-I —Erik Kelly 4 run (Justin May run)

C/J-I —Jordan Oraw 11 run (Brandon Richter run)

C/J-I —Jordan Oraw 2 run (Sion Norick run)

C/J-I —Justin May 10 run (run failed)

C/J-I —Justin May 3 run (Justin May run)

C/J-I —Steven May 7 pass from Brandon Richter (Justin May run)

C/J-I —Justin May 53 run (Sam Deffinbaugh run)

Big Sandy 54, Geraldine-Highwood 48 (4OT)

The final week's games continued on Wednesday, as the Class C 6-Man Big Sandy Pioneers had to battle into four overtimes to keep their place at the top of the divisional standings. Big Sandy defeated Geraldine-Highwood 54-48, earning a No. 2 seed in the meantime.

The Pioneers finished the conference schedule with a 7-1 record, and will now take on the state playoffs on Friday at 7 p.m. The Pioneer will host No. 3 Lone-Peak in Big Sandy.

No Statistics Available

Chinook 46, Belt 18

The Class C 8-Man Chinook Sugarbeeters also rolled through the final week of the season on Wednesday, as they also earned a playoff birth. The Beeters finished No. 2 behind the C/J-I Hawks as the defeated the Belt Huskies 46-18. The Beeters finished with a 7-1 conference record, with their one loss on the season coming to the Hawks early.

But now in the playoffs, the Beeters will look to get back into the chipper. Chinook will host Victor, the No. 3 team out of the West on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Chinook.

No Statistics Available

Valier 28, North Star 13

Unfortunately for the Class C North Star Knights, their 6-Man season has come to an end. The Knights also played on Wednesday, but couldn't get past Valier. Valier defeated the Knights 28-13, as the Knights finished the season with a record of 3-5.

No Statistics Available

Shelby 40, Harlem 12

The Class B Harlem Wildcats will also suffer a shortened season, as they too missed the state playoffs this season. On Wednesday, Shelby defeated the Wildcats 40-12, The Wildcats finished the season with a record of 1-7.

But trying to end the season on a high not, the Wildcats just couldn't get things rolling against a good Coyotes team. Shelby jumped out to a 19-6 first half lead, and the Wildcats managed just six more points in the second half as they played from behind all game long. Shelby's 21 second half points kept the game out of reach for the Wildcats.

Seth Adams scored on a nine-yard run and on a two-yard run for the Wildcats.

Shelby 7 12 12 9 – 41

Harlem 0 6 6 0 – 12

Shelby — Ryan Clark 3 run (Ryan Clark kick); Lane McCracken 1 run (kick failed); Lane McCracken 2 run (pass failed); Lucas Brachle 23 pass from Ryan Clark (pass failed); Lane McCracken 2 run (pass failed); Brad Frethiem 40 pass from Ryan Clark (kick failed); Ryan Clark 25 FG.

Harlem — Seth Adams 9 run (pass failed); Seth Adams 2 run (pass failed)

Chester/J-I's Jordan Oraw (left) runs through the Cascade defense during last Tuesday's Northern C football game in Chester. The Hawks finished the regular season with a perfect 9-0 record.