Hi-Line Football: Harlem wins first-ever 8-man football game

In their opening game of the season, North Star six-man football had a dominant performance on the ground with 459 rushing yards. But that was not enough Saturday afternoon as they lost a 53-45 shootout to Bainville at home.

The teams traded blows throughout the game with Bainville leading 47-45 heading to the fourth quarter. Bainville finally put the game away in the fourth with a 46-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jesse Strickland to Connor Wade with 8:50 left in the game. After three quarters of explosive football, the Knights offense failed to score in the final 12 minutes.

The teams combined for 914 yards, 687 of which came on the ground. Both Michael Berg and Rhett Wolery ran for 218 yards and three touchdowns each for North Star. Quarterback Gavin Spicher only threw the ball nine times as he completed five of his passes for 41 yards and one touchdown to Ty Hansen.

With the loss, the Knights open the season 0-1 and will look to rebound this Friday when they play on the road at Valier.

Bainville 16 24 7 6 - 53

North Star 12 21 12 0 - 45

BAI - Braeden Roma 14 run (Chuck Butikofer run)

NS - Michael Berg 10 run (Run failed)

BAI - Butikofer 4 run (Butikofer run)

NS - Ty Hansen 7 pass from Gavin Spicher (Run failed)

BAI - Adrian Anderson 2 pass from Jesse Strickland (Run failed)

NS - Berg 40 run (Rhett Wolery run)

BAI - Connor Wade 20 pass from Strickland (Run failed)

NS - Wolery 16 run (Wolery run)

BAI - Strickland 56 kickoff return (Run failed)

NS - Wolery 33 run (Berg run)

BAI - Strickland 1 run (Run failed)

NS - Berg 49 run (Run failed)

BAI - Strickland 7 run (Wade run)

NS - Wolery 14 run (Run failed)

BAI - Wade 46 pass from Strickland (Run failed)

Fort Benton 50, Ennis 24

After winning the Northern C and making it to the state semifinals last season, the Fort Benton 8-man football team hopes to continue that success this fall. With their 50-24 victory over Ennis last Thursday night at home, the Longhorns are off to the right start.

The Longhorns got the running game going early with a pair of rushing touchdowns from Andrew Ballantyne and Landis Arganbright in the first quarter for a 15-0 lead. Even as Ennis fought their way back in the game, Fort Benton's running game carried them to a 28-12 lead at halftime.

Ballyntine and Colter Ball finished the game with three rushing touchdowns each. The Longhorns are now 1-0 to start the season and will next play this Friday night at home against Cascade.

Ennis 0 12 6 6 - 24

Fort Benton 15 13 14 8 - 50

FB - Andrew Ballyntine 37 run (Dan Byle run)

FB - Landis Arganbright 39 run (Byle run)

FB - Ballyntine 2 run (Byle run)

ENN - Nicholas Johnson 30 pass from Ostler (Run failed)

FB - Colter Ball 32 run (Kick failed)

ENN - Johnson 54 pass from Ostler (Run failed)

FB - Ball 11 run (Run failed)

ENN - Buyan 6 pass from Ostler (Pass failed)

FB - Ballyntine 22 run (Run failed)

ENN - Buyan 11 run (Run failed)

FB - Ball 18 run (Jacksone Scmele pass from Cade Ball)

Chinook 40, Park City 24

Heading into this fall season, Chinook 8-man football was looking to improve on its .500 record from last year. While there is plenty of season left to go, they can say they are above .500 for now as they defeated Park City to open the season Saturday at home.

The Sugarbeeters fell behind early as they trailed 16-6 at the end of the first quarter. But Mike Jones' squad held their composure as they scored 20 points in the second quarter to take a 26-24 lead into halftime. Their defense then shut down Park City to keep them scoreless in the second half to run away with the victory to open the season 1-0. Chinook will next play this Friday night at Shelby.

Park City 16 8 0 0 - 24

Chinook 6 20 14 0 - 40

White Sulphur Springs 46, Big Sandy 33

After a 2020 season that saw Big Sandy six-man football win the Northern C and make it to the state playoff semifinals, expectations should be high for the Pioneers. However, those expectations may now be tempered after a season-opening 46-33 loss to White Sulphur Springs at home.

While his offense did not play terribly, head coach Larry Jappe was probably not satisfied with the defense allowing 46 points to open the year.

Last fall, the Pioneers were undefeated before their loss in the playoffs. With already one loss this season, the road will not get easier for them. They will next play at Hot Springs this Friday night, another team that made the state playoffs last fall.

Harlem 60, Lodge Grass 52

In their first game under new head coach Ken Bigby, the Harlem 8-man football team had their hands full with Lodge Grass at home Saturday afternoon. However, the Wildcats survived the shootout to win 60-52 to open the season.

The Harlem offense lit up the scoreboard Saturday. On offense, Harlem was led by quarterback Mikkel Rider and running back Clay Adams. If the Wildcats continue to put up this many points on the board, they can compete with anybody this fall. Harlem will next play Friday night at home against Chester-Joplin-Inverness.

Chester-Joplin-Inverness 36, Cascade 6

Last season, the Chester-Joplin-Inverness 8-man football team only won a single game. After just one weekend, the Hawks matched their win total from last year as they defeated Cascade, 36-6, on the road this past Friday.

Head coach Jim Vinson must have liked what he saw from his offense led by quarterback Kyle Harmon that went on to score 36 points. He must have also liked the Hawks' defensive performance that held their opponent to single digits on the scoreboard. He hopes that their performance to open the season will carry on the rest of the year as they try to improve as a program. CJI will next play Friday night at Harlem.