Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Tate Niederegger/Derek Bell, Chinook Football

Niederegger and Bell power the Beeter rushing attack together

When it comes to the Chinook football team, a lot of talk centers on the Sugarbeeter’s outstanding defense. But the offense is pretty good, too — and especially good at running the football.

The Beeters, who host Alree this Saturday for the Class C 8-Man state championship, have a solid passing attack and a stellar passer in senior quarterback Ian McIntosh. Yet, there is no doubt that the rushing tandem of Derek Bell and Tate Niederegger is the straw that stirs the drink for Chinook offensively.

As a team, Chinook hasn't just been good on the ground, it’s been dominant, racking up 237 yards per game. The Beeters have also scored an incredible 50 touchdowns on the ground. That’s 4.5 per game and a big reason why Chinook has averaged 54 points through 11 games (including playoffs).

Niedgeregger, who is also an individual state champion in wrestling and a standout linebacker for the Beeters, is the running back and after the graduation of Gavin Gunderson last season, the junior had some big shoes to fill. Yet, it didn't take long for Niederegger to show that he was next in the great line of Chinook running backs.

As a sophomore, Niederegger rushed for over 300 yards and scored six touchdowns, this season he scored seven touchdowns in the first three games. For the year, he has carried the ball 154 times for a total of 1,124 yards. He has also scored 18 touchdowns and averages 7.3 yards per attempt. He has also eclipsed the 100-yard mark six times in 11 games and not once this season has he failed to reach 60 yards rushing.

Part of the reason that Niederegger has had so much success has been the stout offensive line he runs behind. Another one has been the blocking of Bell, who doubles as a runner and lead blocker in the Chinook offense. Like Niederegger, he is also part of a group of linebackers that is as good as any in 8-Man football.

Before this season, Bell had carried the ball few times, just 49 times, in fact, during his first three seasons. He also scored just six touchdowns and ran for 286 yards. Yet, in 2015, Bell developed into a talented, smash-mouth runner.

Bell may not be the Beeters featured back, but he proved to be a legitimate offensive threat as he turned 57 carries this season into 465 yards and 11 touchdowns. His best performance of the year came in a 44-0 win over Belt when he finished with 110 yards on just six carries.

“Tate is a shifty guy,” Bell said. “He’s able to make guys miss. I just try to hit the hole as a hard as I can, but I would describe myself as a physical runner.”

While Niederegger and Bell have both had tons of individual success, they are each more interested in the success of the team. Both players were part of the Chinook team that lost to Wibaux in the state championship game a year ago and like their teammates, they were driven to get back to the title game and are now determined to win it.

“That’s a tough loss to forget,” Niederegger said. “This season has been based on getting back again and redeeming ourselves for what happened.”

No matter what happens, Niederegger will have at least one more season of playing for the Beeters, but Bell, on the other hand, will be playing his last high school game Saturday and he wants to make he makes it count.

Yet, before the Beeters take to Hoon Field this Saturday for the state championship game against Arlee, the Havre Daily News caught up with both Bell and Niederegger for a few questions each.

HDN: How excited are you to be playing the state championship game at Hoon Field?

Niederegger: “Hoon Field is where it all starts, that’s ground zero. That’s why we call ourselves the “Hoon Squad” and hopefully it will be a lot like it was for the Chester game. That was the best atmosphere I have played in and hopefully it will be like that Saturday.”

HDN: How does it feel being the next in the line of great Chinook running backs?

Niederegger: “It’s a lot of pressure to live up to those guys. You just try your best every game, and we have a great line so it’s not too hard.”

HDN: How is it having Derek (Bell) blocking for you?

Niederegger: “He’s an animal. He’s one of the toughest guys that I know and he does a great job blocking and when he gets (the ball) he runs hard. He’s fun to watch.”

HDN: Which do you prefer running the ball or blocking?

Bell: “Running the ball. It’s just more exciting when you get to run the ball.”

HDN: How did losing in last year’s championship game to Wibaux motivate you guys for this season?

Bell: “It was definitely a motivating factor for us. It made us really want to get back to this game and have another chance at it.”

HDN: What would it mean to you to end your high school football career with a state championship on your home field?

Bell: “It would be awesome. It would just be fantastic and wonderful to get that win on Saturday, especially at home.”