Rolling: Chinook beats Broadus

CHINOOK — Before the start of the 2014 football season, Chinook head coach Scott Friede told his team to dream big. And after a second consecutive playoff victory, the Suagrbeeters are starting to dream of a Class C 8-man state championship.

Thanks to an incredible performance from quarterback Ian McIntosh and another dominating game on the ground from Gavin Gunderson, the seventh-ranked Beeters won a hard fought battle over Broadus 40-20 Saturday at Hoon Field in the quarterfinal round of the playoffs.

With the win, the Beeters will host Fairview next Saturday in the 8-man semifinals, with the winner advancing to the state championship game.

“At the start of the season, in our first meeting, coach told us to dream big, state championship big,” McIntosh said. “We just keep on going and keep believing in ourselves.”

As great as Gunderson has been all season for the Beeters, McIntosh is a big reason why Chinook is still playing, and he got his team on the board first when he connected with Kenneth Pruttis on a 13-yard touchdown pass to give Chinook an early 8-0 lead.

Broadus answered with a three-yard touchdown run by Seth Bayles to trim the Chinook lead to 8-6 late in the first quarter. But, as he has done all season, Gunderson responded with a big play, breaking through the Hawks’ run defense for a 51-yard touchdown that gave the Beeters a 14-6 lead with 11:09 to go in the second quarter.

Then, after an interception by Jake Norby, the Beeters cashed in when McIntosh hooked up with his favorite target, Lane Seymour, on a 17-yard touchdown pass that made the score 20-6 in favor of Chinook with 9:40 remaining in the first half.

“The kids are all so great,” Friede said. “Gavin, Lane, Kenneth and so many others, they all work so hard. They are the ones that are making the difference. It’s all about what these kids are doing.”

Yet, the Hawks, who upset eighth-ranked Twin Bridges to get to the quarterfinals, were not going away without a fight.

And on the ensuing possession, Bayles tore through the Chinook defense for a 61-yard touchdown run to get within six at 20-14 with 8:13 left in the first half.

In the final minute of the first half, the Beeters were driving to extend their lead, but an incomplete pass on a fourth down deep in Hawks’ territory caused a turnover on downs. It appeared Broadus would head into intermission down just six.

The Beeters had other ideas.

First, Norby intercepted his second pass of the game to give Chinook the ball at its own 39-yard line with 11 seconds. Then, McIntosh made the play of the day, finding a wide-open Lane Seymour for a 41-yard touchdown pass with five seconds left in the half to give Chinook a 26-14 lead.

“I just kind of rolled out and it was a long throw,” McIntosh said. “There was nobody within 20 yards of him. He said it knocked the wind out of him when he caught up, but I think the wind helped me a little bit.”

On the opening drive of the third quarter, Broadus got another big play, this time a 55-yard touchdown run from Wyre Williams to make it a game again at 26-20. But, the Beeters refused to be denied.

After a key defensive stop to maintain a six-point lead, McIntosh threw his fourth touchdown of the day, finding Pruttis for a 20-yard strike that gave Chinook at 34-20 at the end of the third quarter.

Broadus drove deep into Beeter territory again but was again turned away after a turnover on downs. Then, the Chinook offense went to work on the clock.

Thanks to the running of Gunderson and McIntosh, the Beeters were able to milk the clock and by the time McInotsh scored on a one-yard rushing touchdowns with 4:04 left in the game to put Chinook ahead 40-20, the outcome was decided.

McIntosh was highly efficient in the win, completing 10-of-15 passes for 204 yards and four touchdown passes to go along with one rushing touchdown. Gunderson had another stellar performance with 200 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Seymour and Pruttis each had two touchdown receptions.

“They just get keep getter each week, they believe in themselves and the team and what we are trying to do with them,” Friede said. “Broadus brought a very good football team and for us to be in a battle like today and come out on top says a lot about our kids.”

The Beeters (9-2) are now just one win away from the 8-man state championship game and will battle second-ranked Fairview this Saturday at Hoon Field to get there for the first time since 2010. Kickoff will be at 1 p.m.

“There’s a lot of tradition here in football,” Friede said.” Mr. (Matt) Molyneaux did a great job with these kids and the seniors just stepped up and kept it going. These players created the home field advantage for themselves and they are just loving it. It’s a great opportunity.”

On to the Semis

Chinook 40, Broadus 20

Broadus 6 8 6 0 – 20

Chinook 8 18 8 6 – 40

C: Kenneth Pruttis 13 pass from Ian McIntosh (Gavin Gunderson run)

B: Seth Bayles 3 run (run failed)

C: Gunderson 51 run (pass failed)

C: Layne Semour 17 pass from McIntosh (pass failed)

B: Bayles 61 run (Kris Noble run)

C: Seymour 41 pass from McIntosh (McIntosh run failed)

B: Wrye Williams 55 run (conversion failed)

C: Pruttis 10 pass from McIntosh (Pruttis from McIntosh)

C: McIntosh 2 run (pass failed)