Hi-Line Football: Moving On: Pioneers blast Longhorns

It has felt like forever since the Big Sandy High football team was back in the Class C Six-Man playoffs, but since last year's tough loss to the Jordan Mustangs in the 2019 semifinals, the Pioneers were ready to make up for that shortcoming in 2020.

And the first step to that victory for Big Sandy head coach Larry Jappe and the Pioneers came out with a 57-6 win over the Wibaux Longhorns Friday in Big Sandy.

When it came to the bout against the Longhorns, the first quarter was fairly quiet, with Wibaux and Big Sandy trading defensive blows to start off the battle. But it was not long until the powerhouse senior running back, Kade Strutz, pushed for a strong 29-yard run to the endzone to kick off a big night for the senior.

The Pioneers continued to score, with Braydon Cline catching a 27-yard pass from Kody Strutz for a touchdown and Kade Strutz continuing his scoring streak with a two-yard, five-yard, three-yard, 75-yard and three-yard rushing touchdown to put Big Sandy up 32-0 over the Longhorns at halftime.

Coming out of the break, Kade Strutz did not let up, driving for another rushing touchdown, this time from 13-yards out to continue the lead. Then, Wibaux found the endzone on a 50-yard connection from Colten Miske to Johnathan Harris to avoid a shutout. The Pioneers responded by sending Kade Strutz on a 15-yard run to score once again.

When the fourth quarter came about, Lance Rutledge caught a pass from Kody Strutz, who then ended up catching his own touchdown pass from Cline for a nine-yard connection to end off the big win for Big Sandy. Now, the Pioneers will await their next challenge in the No. 2 Bridger Scouts, who won their opening game.

At the end of the day, Kade Strutz led the Pioneers' run-game with 25 carries for 279 yards and six touchdowns, Cline led the passing-attack with four-out-of-five completions for 84 yards and a touchdown and Kody Strutz led the receiving core with two completions for 51 yards and a touchdown.

The Pioneers (6-0) look to continue their postseason journey with a win over their next opponent, the No. 2 Bridger Scouts, Saturday at Big Sandy as a part of the Class C State quarterfinals.

Big Sandy 57, Wibaux 6

Big Sandy 6 26 12 13 – 57

Wibaux 0 0 6 0 – 6

BGS – Kade Strutz 29 run (PAT no good)

BGS – Braydon Cline 27 pass from Kody Strutz (PAT no good)

BGS – Kade Strutz 2 run (PAT no good)

BGS – Kade Strutz 5 run (CNV good)

BGS – Kade Strutz 75 run (CNV good)

BGS – Kade Strutz 13 run (PAT no good)

WIB – Johnathan Harris 50 pass from Colten Miske (PAT no good)

BGS – Kade Strutz 15 run (PAT no good)

BGS – Lance Rutledge 34 pass from Kody Strutz (CNV good)

BGS – Kody Strutz 9 pass from Cline (PAT no good)

Passing – Braydon Cline 4-5 for 84, Kody Strutz 3-4 77.

Rushing – Kade Strutz 25-279, Parker Proulx 2-18, Braydon Cline 3-12.

Receiving – Kody Strutz 2-51, Lance Rutledge 2-44, Braydon Cline 1-27, Cooper Taylor 1-23, Brady Pleninger 1-16.

Cascade 40, Chinook 38

The Chinook Sugarbeeters had one more chance to make the Class C 8-Man playoffs,. But what happened was that the Beeters suffered yet another close, gut-wrenching loss.

Last Friday night in Chinook, the Beeters lost a Northern C play-in game to the Cascade Badgers, 40-38. The loss knocked Chinook out of playoff contention, as the Beeters finished the season 4-4.

In what was a close game throughout, the Beeters led 26-22 at halftime, but Cascade pulled ahead several times in the second stanza, including scoring a game-winning touchdown in the final minute of the game.

Benton Elliot threw for a score and 189 yards for Chinook, while Hunter Molyneaux rushed for 75 yards in the final outing of the regular season.