Hi-Line Football Roundup: Longhorns advance, Pioneers win on the road

Postseason high school football continued across Montana this past weekend and the Hi-Line was represented well. After defeating Plentywood last weekend to begin the 8-man football playoffs, the Fort Benton Longhorns continued to play well as they defeated St. Ignatius, 42-26, at home Saturday to advance in the postseason.

The Bulldogs struck first in the first quarter for a 6-0 lead when Kellen McClure threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Canyon Sargent. But the Longhorns responded with a one-yard touchdown run from Cade Ball to tie the game.

Both offenses exploded in the second quarter. Charley Adams gave St. Ignatius the lead with a one-yard touchdown run. McClure then threw his second touchdown of the day to extend the Bulldogs' lead. Fort Benton finally responded with a one-yard touchdown run from Colter Ball and a two-point conversion.

McClure continued to make big plays through the air as he connected with Bryce Umphrey for a 70-yard score. Fort Benton scored again with a 50-yard run from Andrew Ballantyne and a two-point conversion but St. Ignatius held a 26-22 lead heading into the half.

After giving up 20 points in the second quarter, the Fort Benton defense clamped down to shut out the Bulldogs in the second half. With the defense playing strong, the Fort Benton offense did its part. Cade Ball ran for a five-yard score to give Fort Benton a 28-26 lead in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Ballantyne led the Fort Benton ground game with two more touchdown runs to put the game away. Ballantyne finished the game with three scores and 166 total yards. Colter Ball finished the game leading the Longhorns with 195 yards. As a team, Fort Benton gained 418 rushing yards.

With the win, the Longhorns advanced to the semifinals where they will next face Western No. 2 seed Drummond/Philipsburg at home next Saturday. The game is a rematch of the 2020 Class C semifinals.

ST - 6 20 0 0 - 26

FB - 6 16 6 14 - 42

ST - Canyon Sargent 34 pass from Kellen McClure (Run failed)

FB - Cade Ball 1 run (Mateo Socorro De LaFuente kick)

ST - Charley Adams 1 run (Kenny Ness pass from McClure)

ST - Sargent 55 pass from McClure (Run failed)

FB - Colter Ball 1 run (Andrew Ballantyne run)

ST - Bryce Umphrey 70 pass from McClure (Pass failed)

FB - Ballantyne 50 run (Ballantyne run)

FB - Cade Ball 5 run (Kick failed)

FB - Ballantyne 4 run (Ballantyne run)

FB - Ballyntine 13 run (Run failed)

Big Sandy 50, DGS/WGR 14

Along with Fort Benton, the Big Sandy Pioneers represented the Hi-Line well Saturday afternoon. After defeating Valley Christian to open the six-man football playoffs, the Pioneers won their second straight postseason game on the road as they defeated Central No. 1 seed Denton-Geyser-Stanford-Grass-Range-Winnett, 52-14, Saturday.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Big Sandy offense exploded in the second quarter. Lane Demontiney got the Pioneers on the scoreboard with a 49-yard touchdown run. Big Sandy quarterback Braydon Cline then did his part as he threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Lance Rutledge to extend the lead.

The Bearcats got on the scoreboard when Kain Vincent connected with Brady Bantz for a 55-yard touchdown pass. But the Big Sandy offense continued to roll as Cline threw a 57-yard touchdown pass to Kody Strutz. Cline then made an impact on the ground with a 43-yard touchdown run. He then threw his third touchdown pass of the day as he connected with Demontiney to give Big Sandy a 30-8 lead at halftime.

While the Big Sandy offense came out slow to start the second half, the defense made its name known. After scoring twice on offense in the first half, Demontiney made a defensive play when he intercepted a pass and returned it 75 yards for the score to push the lead to 36-8.

The Bearcats were able to score again in the fourth quarter but it was not enough. Rusty Gasvoda ran for an 18-yard score and Strutz scored again with a 53-yard touchdown run to put the game away for the Pioneers.

Braydon Cline finished the day completing six of his nine pass attempts for 106 yards. He also led the Pioneers with 74 rushing yards. Strutz had a big day with 89 receiving yards and 47 rushing yards. Strutz also led the Big Sandy defense with 10.5 total tackles.

With the win, the Pioneers advanced to the six-man semifinals for yet another season.. They will have to head on the road again as they face Eastern No. 1 seed Froid-Lake Saturday.

BS - 0 30 6 14 - 50

DGS-GRW - 0 8 0 6 - 14

BS - Lane Demontiney 49 run (Kick failed)

BS - Lance Rutledge 31 pass from Braydon Cline (Kick failed)

DGS-GRW - Brady Bantz 56 pass from Kain Vincent (Clayton Hoffmeister kick)

BS - Kody Strutz 57 pass from Cline (Kick failed)

BS - Cline 43 run (Kick failed)

BS - Demontiney 8 pass from Cline (Kick failed)

BS - Demontiney 75 interception return (Kick failed)

BS - Rusty Gasvoda 18 run (Kick failed)

DGS-GRW - Ace Becker 23 pass from Bantz (Kick failed)

BS - Strutz 53 run (Cline kick)