Big wins for Devils, Heat

NOXON 68, GARDINER 25

It was a crisp fall night as the Noxon Red Devils hosted the Gardiner Bruins for their final home game of the season, taking the win 68-25.

Red Devil Ian Brown set the tone for the game, coming out of the gate earning a touchdown. It was quickly answered with a Bruin punt return touchdown, tying up the game early. Noxon was able to keep a level head and quarterback Justice Kayser was able to find the end zone for another Red Devil touchdown. Keeping their helmets to the ground the Noxon defense was able to keep Gardiner from gaining a touchdown. With a minute left, the Devils were able to gain another touchdown making their lead larger.

Starting the second quarter Noxon was able to gain a massive punt return touchdown, which was swiftly answered with a Bruin touchdown, putting the score 24-13. Senior Chance McDaid was able to gain a huge punt return to the 13 yard line for the Devils, and from there a first down play would land McDaid in the endzone for another touchdown. Noxon was able to keep Gardiner from gaining another touchdown. With three minutes left Logan Buckner was found by Kayser for a Devil touchdown. With less than 40 seconds left before the half Kayser was able to find Shane Hatchel for a swift touchdown.

The third quarter started with a touchdown from the Devils and like deja vu it was answered with a touchdown from the Bruins, putting the score 50-19. Noxon was able to answer with another touchdown as McDaid made a massive punt return run. From there the Bruins would find their own massive touchdown from a return kick. The teams would fight defensively until with just a minute left McDaid was able to find the endzone for a Devil touchdown.

To start the final quarter Hatchel would gain an interception that would lead to a Devil first down and would allow quarterback Kayser to find Cameron Blair for the final touchdown for the Devils. Both teams would fight for yards until, with just seconds left, the Bruins found themselves close to gaining another touchdown. Each team called time outs to keep the clock from going out, but Gardiner was unable to find the end zone. As the dark clouds closed in and a soft rain started to fall, the final horn signaled the end of the game and another Devil win.

"The boys came out fired up and pushed to take the lead early on. I think we communicated well on offense and that allowed us to take the lead," head coach Lucas MacArthur stated. "Our focus now is Hot Springs. They have a good team and are well coached. We just have to remind ourselves to start strong and to stay focused."

HOT SPRINGS 76, ALBERTON 0

The Savage Heat hit the road taking on the Alberton Panthers, coming home with an epic 76-0 win.

To open the game, the Heat had a massive punt return touchdown. While the Panthers tried to gain their own touchdown, they were unable to break down the tight Hot Springs defense. The next time the Heat had the ball, they once again found the endzone for a touchdown. While the Panthers were able to gain a first down, they wouldn't be able to gain a touchdown. Hot Springs would make a quick pass to Weston Slonaker who would be able to run in a quick touchdown for the Heat. Alberton would try once more before the end of the first to make a touchdown but was stopped short by the Savage Heat defense.

It would be Hot Springs who would find the end zone for the start of the second quarter. The Heat would hold the Panthers and on Alberton's fourth down, Weston Slonaker made a swift interception touchdown, keeping Hot Springs well in the lead. Weston was able to quickly gain another touchdown, and the Heat went for the extra touchdown earning the extra point. Holding the Panthers out of the end zone, Hot Springs kept their lead going into the half.

Headed back from the half the Heat were able to keep Alberton from finding the end zone, while Samson Jakabosky was able to find the end zone for a Hot Springs touchdown. Keeping the Panthers scoreless, the Heat were able to once again add a touchdown to their score.

In the final quarter Wesley Adams was able to sneakily break past the Panthers defense to add more points on the board for the Savage Heat. The Heat would add one more touchdown before the end of the quarter, sealing their on the road win.

The Savage Heat host the Noxon Red Devils for the final matchup of the regular season.

FLORENCE 45, THOMPSON FALLS 14

The Thompson Falls Blue Hawks hit the road taking on the Florence Falcons, falling 45-14.

The Falcons came out soaring and were swift to gain a touchdown from an interception return. From there the Hawks tried to get their own touchdown but were stopped by Florence. Before the end of the first quarter the Falcons were able to gain another touchdown.

Coming into the second quarter the Hawks would try again for their touchdown, but were unable to get past the tight knit defense to put points on the board. Florence was able to gain a massive 49 yard pass touchdown to keep their lead. The Falcons would get past the Hawk defense two more times, and would add a field goal to their total score before the half.

Florence would add another touchdown coming back from the half, keeping their large lead. Thompson was able to find a hole in the Falcons defense and would make a 12 yard pass touchdown. Both teams would continue to fight for yards for the rest of the quarter.

In the final quarter the Hawks were able to make a colossal 43 yard run. This would be the only touchdown from both teams in the fourth quarter. While the Hawks put pressure on the Falcons they were unable to take home the win.

The Hawks host their final home game of the season against Whitehall this Friday, with kickoff starting at 7 p.m.