Savage Heat back to winning ways

by Skye Barker-Hill

HOT SPRINGS 55,

GARDINER 12

The Savage Heat football team hit the road taking on the Gardiner Bruins securing the win 55-12.

Hot Springs came out and was able to put a stop to the Bruins early in the game, while being able to find the end zone for their first touchdown. The Heat were able to keep intense pressure on Gardiner making them work for every yard they gained but they wouldn't be able to answer with their own touchdown. Hot Springs was able to put more points on the board after an interception allowed for a massive run touchdown. Gardiner wouldn't be able to get past the hot defense before the end of the first quarter.

Heated from quarter one the Savage Heat never faltered and continued their pressure on the Bruins. Hot Springs was able to gain another touchdown about halfway through the second quarter. Gardiner was able to answer with their own touchdown to put points on the board. The Bruins were able to hold the Heat until Hot Springs was able to gain a quick three yard touchdown before the half.

Coming back from the half Hot Springs kept their fire and were able to score the first touchdown of the second half. The Heat were able to keep intense defense on the Bruins, but Gardiner would break past the defense once more to put another touchdown on the board. Hot Springs would be quick to answer back with their own touchdown keeping the lead.

In the final quarter both teams would up their defense making each other work extra for each gained yard, but the Heat kept with their strong passing game and were able to find the end zone one last time. Gardiner would try several times to get past the strong Hot Springs defense but weren't able to score any more.

The Heat take to the road one last time for the regular season taking on the Alberton Panthers on Thursday

LOYOLA 33,

THOMPSON FALLS 14

The Thompson Falls Blue Hawks hosted the Loyola Rams falling after an epic battle 33-14.

The Rams came out and set the tone for the game, quickly breaking past the Hawk defense to put the first points on the board. While Thompson tried to come back and put their own points on the board they were unable to get past the Loyola defense. With less than a minute to go in the first quarter the Rams were able to gain another touchdown putting them up 13-0.

Halfway through the second quarter the Rams were able to once again break past the hard hitting Hawk defense to find the end zone once more. It was answered by a massive 95 yard kickoff return touchdown made by Hawk Ian Myers. From there the teams would fight yard for yard until the Rams were able to find the end zone once more before the half.

Coming back from the half the Hawks were quick to find Myers again for a swift 33 yard pass touchdown, putting the Hawks down just two touchdowns away from the Rams. Putting their helmets down the Hawk defense would keep Loyola from scoring much of the third quarter but with a minute left, the Rams were able to find the end zone for their last touchdown.

The fourth quarter, both teams upped their defense and both teams would go scoreless.

"The boys went into this game wanting to compete and fight, there were some missed opportunities. But this gives us a chance to learn from our mistakes," said head coach Jared Koskela.

Bryson LcCoure led for the Hawks with 61 yard rushing, with Kaiden Robins behind with 58. Robins led with 42 yards receiving, with Ian Myers behind with 33, and Sam Burgess rounding it out with 23. LeCoure proved to be a hard hitter getting eight tackles for the Hawks, with Noa Stevens behind with five, Robins, Myers, and Bryson McCormick each earning four.

The Hawks hit the road taking on the Florence Falcons Friday with kickoff starting at 7 p.m.

VALLEY CHRISTIAN 54 PLAINS 0

The Plains Horsemen took to the road taking on the Valley Christian Eagles falling 54-0.

Valley Christian was quick and would come out and gain the first points, getting past the tight knit Horsemen defense. While Plains was able to gain a first down, they would fall short of gaining their own touchdown in the first quarter. The Eagles were swift and would fly past the Horsemen defense once more. The Eagles would find the endzone twice more before the start of the second quarter.

Headed into the second quarter, the Horsemen would up their defense and would keep the Eagles gaining a touchdown. Valley Christian was quick to put a stop to the Plains offense, and with them unable to break past the Eagles defense the Horsemen would remain scoreless for the third quarter. The Eagles would break past the tight knit Horsemen defense to put two touchdowns on the board furthering their lead. While the Horsemen tried to shut out Valley Christian they wouldn't; be able to, and the Eagles would put another touchdown on the board before the half.

Coming back from the half, the Horsemen came out with new fire and would keep the Eagles scoreless for much of the quarter. The Eagles would do the same to Plains, keeping their score zero. Swiftly Valley Christian was able to gain another touchdown before the final quarter.

The final quarter would remain the toughest, with both teams upping their defense keeping the other scoreless while the Eagles take the home win.