Big Sandy, Fort Benton both come up short in semifinals

The semifinal matchups across Montana kicked off last Friday and Saturday to decide the contenders for the championship titles. Among those participating in the Class C semifinals were the Fort Benton and Big Sandy football teams.

Unfortunately, both the Longhorns and Pioneers saw their seasons stopped right there. Fort Benton's undefeated streak ended with a 48-8 loss to Fairview, while Big Sandy experienced some jarring déjà vu, falling to the Jordan Mustangs 55-25.

The Longhorns biggest challenge against the Warriors was stopping the run-game. Fairview took an early lead with two runs, a 49- and a 41-yarder, by Cody Asbeck. Quarterback Alex Schriver and Asbeck continued to dominate the Fort Benton defense. Schriver found the endzone from two different four-yard keeps and a big 45-yard run. Asbeck scored for a third time on a 24-yard rushing touchdown.

The explosive first-half put Fairview up unanswered 42-0 going into the third quarter. The Warriors had no issues containing the Longhorn offense and kept up the attack in the third quarter. Though it was its last score of the game, Fairview was able to sit comfortably with a big lead.

The final score was a Schriver 30-yard connection to Jesse Selting. Up 48-0, the Warriors had a win pretty much in the bag. Luckily, Fort Benton was able to avoid the shutout with a Hayden Axtman 45-yard rushing touchdown.

The Longhorn's incredible undefeated run ended late in the season and on a rough note, but the streak is something that will be remembered for quite some time. In the end, Fort Benton fell just short of a title appearance, as Fairfiew will play Superior in the 8-Man championship game.

Meanwhile, 177-miles away, the Big Sandy Pioneers looked to repeat the success that was found in the season-opener against Jordan. But the Mustangs had other plans and looked to get revenge for the opening-loss, as well as give the Pioneers a loss in the Six-Man semifinals for the second year in a row.

Jordan scored first in the game on an Edward Murnion 59-yard run, but Big Sandy's Kade Strutz did what he does best and tied the score on a 49-yard rushing touchdown. The game looked to be a shootout, until Jordan took a big lead.

Keenan Murnion scored on a 24-yard run, followed by two Edward Murnion scores, the first a one-yard rushing touchdown and the second a 17-yard receiving score. Big Sandy responded with a Christopher Burns nine-yard run to the endzone, but the Pioneers were down 25-12 at the half.

From there, the Murnion crew gashed the Big Sandy defense. Edward Murnion scored three more times on the time, all three rushing touchdowns. Dawson Murnion scored on a 42-yard run and Cole Murnion caught a seven-yard pass from Keenan Murnion.

The Pioneers tried to keep in the game with two rushing touchdowns, but the Mustangs had the game under wraps and punched their ticket to the title rematch against Wibaux. Jordan upsetting the undefeated Big Sandy team was big and for the Pioneers, it is another tough semifinal loss to the Mustangs.

In the end, both Big Sandy and Fort Benton will be remembered for the incredible undefeated runs in the 2019 season. The remarkable efforts the teams put forth is an accomplishment in itself. The Pioneers' found a big talent in Kade Strutz, who will be remembered for his physicality on the field. Meanwhile, the Longhorns utilized a versatile quarterback in Garett Diekhans, who will leave a positive impact on the program in Fort Benton.

The Six-Man state championship game will be Saturday with Jordan battling rival Wibaux.

Fairview 28 14 6 0 – 48

Fort Benton 0 0 0 8 – 8

FRV - Cody Asbeck 49 run (Conversion good)

FRV - Cody Asbeck 41 run (Conversion no good)

FRV - Alex Schriver 4 run (Conversion no good)

FRV - Cody Asbeck 24 run (Conversion good)

FRV - Alex Schriver 4 run (Conversion no good)

FRV - Alex Schriver 45 run (Conversion good)

FRV - Jesse Selting 30 pass from Alex Schriver (Conversion no good)

FTB - Hayden Axtman 45 run (Conversion good)

Jordan 13 12 12 18 – 55

Big Sandy 6 6 6 7 – 25

JOR - Edward Murnion 59 yards run (PAT no good)

BSY - Kade Stutz 49 yards run (PAT no good)

JOR - Keenan Murnion 24 yards run (Conversion good)

JOR - Edward Murnion 1 yard run (Conversion no good)

JOR - Edward Murnion 17 yards pass from Keenan Murnion (PAT no good)

BSY - Christopher Burns 9 yards run (PAT no good)

JOR - Edward Murnion 1 yard run (Conversion no good)

JOR - Dawson Murnion 42 yards run (PAT no good)

BSY - run (Conversion no good)

JOR - Edward Murnion 2 yards run (Conversion no good)

JOR - Edward Murnion 62 yards run (Conversion no good)

BSY - 55 yards run (Conversion good)

JOR - Cole Murnion 7 yards pass from Keenan Murnion (PAT no good)