Momentum: Beeters host Broadus

At the start of the 2014 season, few people viewed the Chinook Sugarbeeters as a contender for the Class C 8-man State football championship. But, after a tremendous regular season and a favorable path to the title game, the Beeters are a legitimate threat to play for the ultimate prize in two weeks.

Following an opening round triumph over Victor, Chinook is just two wins away from the championship game and will get one step closer with a win over Broadus (6-3, 4-2) in the 8-man quarterfinals this Saturday, when the Hawks and Beeters meet at Hoon Field. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

Saturday’s contest will mark the second straight home playoff game for Chinook (8-2, 6-2), which cruised to a 52-24 win over Victor last Saturday. Meanwhile, Broadus will be on the road again this week after pulling the upset over eighth-ranked Twin Bridges a week ago.

“This is a huge and exciting opportunity for our kids,” Chinook head coach Scott Friede said. “This will be the second straight week that Broadus is on the road and for us to have the opportunity to stay at home and have a backing of fan support makes for an awesome atmosphere. So, the kids should be very proud of what they have created for themselves.”

If the Beeters are going to conquer the Hawks, they will need another outstanding effort from a dominating offense that features three big-time playmakers in quarterback Ian McIntosh, running back Gavin Gunderson and wide receiver Lane Seymour.

Gunderson, who had an All-State caliber season in 2014, was held in check a week ago against Victor but still managed to impact the game with a 33-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter and a 37-yard interception return for a touchdown on defense to help seal the 28-point win.

With defenses focused on stopping Gunderson and the Beeters’ devastating running game, it has opened things up for McIntosh, who has taken advantage on the ground and through the air. Last week, McIntosh reached pay dirt on a pair of touchdown runs, while also throwing two touchdowns to spearhead the Beeters to victory.

Like Gunderson, Seymour is an important two-way player for the Beeters, who is also their most explosive target in the passing game, as well as one of the team’s top defenders.

“Offensively, we need to establish a strong ground attack and keep it going deep into the game,” Friede said. “We think that will help open up our play-action passing game when we need it.”

While the Beeters’ offense is a handful, the Hawks boast their own vaunted rushing attack that centers on running back Kris Noble and quarterback Seth Bayles.

Noble is an explosive play waiting to happen and in eight regular season games, he racked up 531 rushing yards on just 52 carries, good enough for an average of 10.2 yards per carry to go along with 12 rushing touchdowns.

Bayles is not much of a threat to throw and finished the season with just 252 passing yards and six touchdowns. But, he is dangerous as a runner and led the Hawks with 535 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.

“Broadus has good speed and size,” Friede said. “Their quarterback and running back are fast and interchangeable. Containing their running game will be a big key for us. And with that being said, we will need to control the clock with our running game, get the clock rolling, while keeping their speed off the field.”

It will be a battle of strength versus strength as both teams rely heavily on running the football. And the team that is better able to establish the run may very well find themselves in the state semi-finals Nov.15 against the winner of Belt and Fairvew.

If Chinook wins, the Beeters would earn their third consecutive home playoff game regardless of who it faces.

However, Broadus would only host if it played Belt in the semifinals. If Fairview and Broadus both advance, Fairview would be the home team because it finished higher in the final Eastern C standings. Kickoff between Broadus and Chinook is set for Saturday at 1 p.m.

“This is a great opportunity for our kids,” Friede said. “We have the chance to get to stay fresh (with another home game) if we can take care of business. If we can contain their running game by containing their speedy backs that will be a huge step. It should be a great game.”