Triumphant finale for Plains

The Plains Horsemen finished the football season the same way they started it - with a big victory.

The Horsemen defeated the Warriors 19-14 at Arlee on Friday afternoon. The game had been scheduled to be a night game, but because Arlee has no football field lights, it was moved to the afternoon.

The game started slow for both teams. Neither could score in the first quarter. But three minutes into the second quarter, Warrior senior Isadore Mitchell caught a short pass for a touchdown. The two-point conversion, however, was no good. It was 6-0 and an Arlee lead. Two minutes later, Plains made a touchdown, but a penalty called it back.

Penalties were responsible for two Horsemen touchdown call backs, both in the second quarter, and two Warrior touchdown call backs, both in the third. "Here and there we have had some untimely penalties, but credit to the team, they kept competing and didn't give up," said Mike Tatum, the Horsemen team's head coach.

It wasn't long after the first call back that quarterback Darren Standeford dashed in from the seven-yard line to score for Plains. Jamie Martinez kicked in the extra point to put the Horsemen ahead 7-6 with just under three minutes left in the first half.

The first play of the third quarter started great for Arlee, which tore through the Horsemen defense for a touchdown, but it was called back for a holding penalty. With 6:19 left in the quarter, Horseman Beau Crabb burst up the middle for a Plains touchdown. The extra point kick was blocked and the score was 13-6 with the Horsemen remaining in the lead.

With just over three minutes in the third, the Warriors once again scored, but it was again called back. Horseman Wyatt Butcher soon recovered an Arlee fumble. That was followed by a Standeford to Zayden Allen touchdown pass that was recalled due to another holding penalty.

In less than a minute at the start of the fourth quarter, Butcher got into the end zone for another six points, though the two-point conversion failed. The Horsemen led 19-6. Four minutes into the fourth saw Arlee score and get the two-point conversion. Plains was only five points ahead with almost eight minutes remaining in the game.

Assistant coach Scott Johnson said the fourth quarter was tense. "The fourth quarter felt like an entire game in itself," said Johnson, the team's offensive/defensive line coach. "Arlee's defense played well, but offensively, we made some crucial mistakes in key areas. However, it came down to a matter of who wants it more in the fourth quarter," he said.

Plains got the ball, but didn't move it very far downfield. It was fourth down and just over 13 yards to a first down. The Horsemen set up to attempt a 42-yard field goal, but it was a ruse. Standeford broke free of a handful of defenders and ran for the first down, but couldn't do it. The Warriors took over on the 19-yard line with almost six minutes on the clock and were successfully moving the ball forward. Arlee was pumped, players and fans. It didn't look good for Plains. However, with 2:46 in the game, Arlee fumbled and Horseman Greg Tatum recovered the ball and Plains ran down the clock. With 19 seconds remaining, Standeford took a knee and it was a Horsemen win.

"Our defense held strong despite some costly penalties. Greg Tatum had some key tackles at the linebacker position and his fumble recovery in the final quarter helped seal the game," said Johnson.

Prior to Arlee, Plains had two wins and five losses. Arlee had a record of three wins and five losses. Friday was the last game of the regular season and neither will move on to the playoffs. "It's always good to win that last game no matter the circumstances, especially for the seniors in their final game," said Tatum, who said it was a huge relief when his son recovered the fumble and at the same time he was proud of him for his quick action to grab the ball.

The coach said that the team didn't make all the plays they'd hoped for, but he added that they made great plays when they needed them. "We had some great moments and then some breakdowns, but they rallied at the end of the game when it counted and finished with the win," said Tatum, who noted the players were communicating on defense and the sideline was chanting better than any other time this season.

"We did have some blocking issues. With some adjustments later in the game, Darren was able to buy some time and make the throws we needed," said Tatum. Standeford, a senior, finished the game with 190 passing yards, including a 24-yard touchdown to Butcher, and 65 rushing yards.

"Zayden Allen had a solid day receiving, with 71 yards, including a 25-yard reception, along with a 30-yard reception," said Tatum. Butcher led the team with 10 tackles and two fumble recoveries. "One was very crucial. It came after a 36-yard punt from our end zone to give us new life," said Tatum. Crabb had nine tackles and Greg Tatum had six, including two sacks.

"He actually caused the fumble he recovered late in the fourth quarter to help seal the win. Cody West and Standeford each had an interception to slow down some of Arlee's momentum at important times during the game, the coach said.

Tatum, who plans to return next year, said they'll miss those seniors who are moving on, but he added that there are younger talented players. "We have some talent coming up, but unless something changes, not much depth with an initial prediction of low numbers coming out next year."