Longhorns, Pioneers on the verge of history

Saturday will seem like deja vu for the two remaining local football teams in the postseason. That's because both the Fort Benton Longhorns and Big Sandy Pioneers have huge rematches from the 2020 playoffs.

Fort Benton plays host to Drummond/Granite in the 8-man semifinals for the second year in a row, while Big Sandy travels to Froid-Lake for the six-man semifinals for the second time in as many years.

Saturday in Fort Benton, the Longhorns (10-0) will try and avenge a heartbreaking home loss to the Titans in last year's semifinals. In that game, Drummond/Granite won 48-18 en route to capturing the Class C state championship.

Both teams have some new faces in the rematch, but once again, both came in undefeated. Fort Benton will rely heavily on the ground attack of Cade Ball and Chase Ballantyne, as well as a defense that's been extremely stingy the last couple of weeks. The Northern C champions will also rely on home field advantage to see of that can help them get over the hump and into the state title game. This is Fort Benton's third straight trip to the 8-man semifinals, and the winner of Saturdays's game wi8ll play at either Thompson Falls or Park City in next Saturday's state chipper.

Big Sandy, meanwhile, is riding a big winning streak into Saturday's game at Froid-Lake (10-0). The Pioneers have been rolling in the playoffs behind Kody Strutz and quarterback, a talented offense, and a physical defense.

However, the Pioneers know how tough Froid-Lake is having lost in the semifinals 42-16 a year ago. But, this being Big Sandy's third semifinal appearance in the last four years, the Pioneers are hoping to finally climb the mountain and reach the coveted six-man state championship game against either rival Power-Dutton-Brady or Shields Valley.

Both the Big Sandy/Froid Lake game and the Fort Benton/Drummond-Granite game will kick off Saturday at 1 p.m.