Heat wallop Warriors

This one turned out to be for the younger kids.

The red-hot Hot Springs Savage Heat defeated the Heart Butte Warriors 52-7 in Hot Springs Friday in a non-conference 6-Man football game.

Now 5-1 in Western C standings and 7-1 overall, coach Jim Lawson and the Heat will play Valley Christian in Alberton Friday in a game with playoff implications. The Eagles, who have been in the running for a playoff spot all season, lost 42-28 to White Sulphur Springs Friday, damaging those playoff hopes dramatically.

"Valley is a quality team that has played well this season," Lawson said. "They have some offensive weapons and good athletes, and have proven they can score on about anyone. We are looking forward to this game."

Also proving to be a quality team with potent offensive weapons and good athletes, the Savage Heat never let Heart Butte get any breathing room in Hot Springs Friday, and roared out to a 35-0 lead in the first quarter. It was the second straight game that the high-scoring Heat had set the clock in motion due to the MHSA's mercy rule in the first quarter.

Lawson was grateful that the Warriors agreed to make the trip on such short notice after Lincoln had forfeited their originally scheduled game.

"We are really glad that we got to play our homecoming game, it was big for the kids and for the community," he said. "It turned out to be a game for our younger kids as we jumped out to a big lead and got everybody lots of playing time."

It seemed like everyone got in on the fun for the streaking Heat, who have won five straight games in convincing fashion since losing 20-18 to White Sulphur on the road back in August.

Tyler Knudsen opened the scoring for Hot Springs with a 15-yard touchdown run. A little while later, Luke Waterbury hit paydirt on a five-yard jaunt, and then Tyler Carr grabbed an interception and returned it 15 yards for another TD.

Before the first quarter ended, Kyle Lawson scored on an eight-yard run and Brandon Knudsen returned an interception 40 yards for yet another score.

Still in the first half, Brandon Knudsen pulled down a Heart Butte ball-carrier for a safety, and Jack McAllister reached the end zone on a five-yard run.

Lawson scored again on a 58-yard run and the Hot Springs defense scored another safety in the second half for the Savage Heat's final points in the game.

Heart Butte scored on an eight-yard pass from Wendall Main to Cody Aimsback in the fourth quarter.

Kyle Lawson finished the game with seven carries for 110 yards and McAllister had 12 carries resulting in another 79 yards gained.

Brandon Knudsen paced the Heat defense with nine tackles and three interceptions, including the pick-six.

"It was a really good effort by our kids against Heart Butte," coach Lawson said. "The important thing for us now is to finish strong and solidify our playoff position. To do that we need to win in Alberton Friday night."