Hi-Line Football: Chinook remains undefeated with win over CJI

After finishing with a .500 record last season, the Chinook 8-man football team is off to a strong start this season. With a 61-14 win over Chester-Joplin-Inverness Friday night, the Sugarbeeters moved to 5-0 on the season.

The Chinook offense continued to play well as they reached a season high in points scored. The offense, led by quarterback Levi Jensen, now averages 49.8 points per game. Their defense also continues to play strong as they only allow 14.4 points a game.

After a 2-0 start this season, the CJI Hawks have now lost three straight games to fall to 2-3. After holding their opponents to a total of six points across their first two games, the Hawks have given up an average of 53.3 points in their three losses.

Chinook will next put their undefeated record on the line when they head on the road to play Simms this Friday. CJI will try to break their losing streak when they host Shelby this Friday night.

Big Sandy 56, Heart Butte 6

Defending Northern C champions Big Sandy came into 2021 looking for more success. After an 0-2 start to the year, the Pioneers have been rolling lately. Their latest victory came in the form of a 56-6 defeat of Heart Butte at home this past Friday.

One reason the team has won three straight games is their defense. After giving up an average of 39.5 points in their first two games, Big Sandy's defense has stiffened up as they have given up an average of eight points in the last three games.

The Big Sandy offense, led by Kody Strutz at quarterback, has also continued to play well. Over the past three weeks, the Pioneers have averaged 43.6 points per game.

Big Sandy will look to make it four in a row when they head on the road to play Box Elder this Saturday.

Choteau 76, Rocky Boy 48

Unlike most teams in 8-man football, Rocky Boy has not gotten to play too many games because of COVID-19 issues. However, they have been able to play football these past two weeks, but they lost on the road to Choteau, 76-48, this past Friday.

After only putting up 12 points the previous week, the Stars offense this week did respond to put some points on the board. However, they could not slow down the Choteau offense.

Rocky Boy is now 1-2 this season and will next play Belt at home this Friday.

Shelby 56, Hays-Lodge Pole 6

The Hays-Lodge Pole 8-man football team had to wait a while until they could start their season. Because of nearby fires and COVID-19 issues, HLP did not get to start their season until a couple of weeks ago. The Thunderbirds have now gotten the chance to play two games this season, including a 56-6 loss to Shelby on the road this past Friday.

HLP is now 0-2 on the season and will next play Harlem in their home opener this Saturday.

Simms 84, Harlem 18

After a win in their season opener, the Harlem 8-man football team has lost four games in a row. Their most recent loss came at home against Simms this past Friday where the Wildcats lost 84-18. After scoring 60 points in their season opener, the Harlem offense has averaged 7.5 points a game during their losing streak.

Harlem is now 1-4 and will try to end their losing streak when they head on the road to play HLP this Friday.

Several games across the Hi-Line scheduled for this past weekend were either cancelled or postponed. Fort Benton 8-man football was set to go on the road to face Great Falls Central but the game was cancelled. In six-man football, Box Elder and North Star were set to play on Friday night before their game was postponed.