Twist of Fate: Beeters return to title game

In sports, the word destiny gets thrown around a lot. But, after an incredible season that will culminate Saturday in the Class C 8-Man state championship game, the Chinook Sugarbeeters may very well be a team of destiny.

At the start of the 2014 season, few pundits saw the Beeters as a state title contender, and in the difficult Northern C Division, even a playoff berth was far from guaranteed. But with each week and each win, the Beeters proved their doubters wrong. And now, on the final weekend of high school football in Montana, Chinook is one of the fortunate few to still be playing.

Another one of those teams will be Chinook’s opponent, Wibaux, which knocked off defending champion Ennis 22-20 last Saturday to earn the right to host Saturday’s championship tilt.

For those who don’t know, the Longhorns and the Beeters have some history. The last time they met in the postseason was in the 2010 championship game, when Chinook routed Wibaux 74-6 at Hoon Field for its first and only state championship.

That victory was the high point in Chinook football history and has served as motivation for the 2014 team, which vividly remembers that 2010 team and hopes that it can follow in its footsteps.

“It’s incredible. I mean watching that team when I was younger, they were awesome,” Chinook quarterback Ian McIntosh said. “That team was so fun to watch. I looked up to all those guys and it’s just an awesome feeling now to know that we are going to state.”

It may not matter that the Longhorns will be looking across the sideline at Chinook once again in the title game but it certainly adds credence to the idea that destiny may just be on the side of the Beeters.

“Standing on the sidelines during those games back in 2010, it was just outstanding,” Chinook senior Lane Seymour said. “That was the greatest group of football players Chinook has ever had. Back then, I didn’t think I could have ever dreamed that I would get the chance we have now. It’s just awesome.”

Even though it’s a different year and two different teams, it’s almost impossible for the two title games not to be connected, especially when the historical significance is so clear for each side.

The Beeters are looking to complete a resurrection of their football program that began in 2005, when Chinook dropped to Class C and began competing in 8-man football. Even then, there were some lean years including 2006, when the team was winless. But, starting in 2008, Chinook has made the playoffs in five of the last seven seasons.

Beginning in 2010, the Beeters have taken their program to an entirely different level, compiling a 44-11 record, winning three conference championships and making it to the semifinal round of the playoffs in three of the last five seasons.

A win Saturday would mean even more. It would be the second state championship in five years and would also serve as an announcement to the rest of the state that Chinook football is not only a power, but a dynasty in the making.

Wibaux, on the other hand, is already viewed as a dominant program in 8-man football. The Longhorns have five state titles to their credit but have had a string of recent failures on the biggest stage and have not captured the crown since 2001.

Since its last championship, Wibaux has been the 8-man runner up a whopping six times with losses in 2002, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 and again last season.

The Longhorns exorcised one demon in the semifinals, defeating Ennis, and knocking off Chinook Saturday would definitely wash away some of the sting from the 68-point beat-down the Beeters gave them in the 2010 championship game.

“I don’t think it matters that we are playing Wibaux again,” Chinook head coach Scott Friede said. “None of these kids were on those teams, they were all in eighth grade. But, if Wibaux wants to make it about getting redemption, that’s fine. All we care about is Saturday and playing as hard as we can, putting our best foot forward and letting the chips fall where they may.”

In the end, the fact that Chinook and Wibaux met in 2010 will not matter, certainly not when it comes to the final score. However, Saturday’s game could be the start of a budding rivalry between two programs, one that has been a powerhouse for decades and another that is on the brink of cementing its status among the elite in 8-man football.

Either way, history will be made Saturday afternoon in Wibaux when the Beeters and Longhorns play for the 8-man state title. And while their previous meeting five years ago may not be in the forefront of anyone’s thinking then, it bears mentioning that history often repeats itself, which is a welcome thought for fans of Chinook football.