MILES AND MILES ... TOGETHER

Last week I wrote about the miles and miles that the Hot Springs football team has traveled this season. It's definitely a commitment to play 6-man football in Montana.

Thanks to assistant coach Anderw Leichtnam for pointing out a key mistake in my map last week. The Savage Heat also traveled to Big Sandy this season.

The mileage below is distances from town to town straight from Google Maps. According to Coach Jim Lawson, with stops, etc., the team went about 4,400 miles this season and racked up 72 hours on a bus.

Lawson on Sunday commented on the character of his team. He told me previously that the team does things together outside of practice. After their win over Highwood, they carpooled for a road trip and went and got Taco Bell for a victory dinner.

That kind of camaraderie is special to find. I hope these young men hold on to the memories they made as a team.

"It's hard to come up with a single favorite part of this season, but probably everyghing we did outside of football like camps and team nights," senior Weston Slonaker said on Monday. "We are a really close knit team that does everything together."

Slonaker's mom Amber agreed. "They are genuinely as hard working, nice, and well behaved as they appear."

Last week, a plane transporting the Auburn men's basketball team to Houston was diverted after team members got into a physical altercation. It made headlines. When you spend that much time with someone - be it a teammate, partner or friend - tensions are bound to get high at times.

The Hot Springs football team kept their spirits high through ups and downs this season, and these seniors, their entire high school career. I commend these young men on their character, just as Coach Lawson did. I expect they get some of that from Coach Lawson, who is one of the most humble coaches I have ever interviewed and who always mentions how grateful he is for his players and for their fan base, no matter the outcome. He noted that at last weekend's game in Box Elder, there were fans who made the trek from Hot Springs who didn't have kids playing. That's a testament to the program he has built.

So thanks, Coach Lawson, for being a good influence, a good community ambassador, and for always answering your phone.

Watching the Hot Springs team on the sidelines as they encouraged each other was such a treat this season. You could see that brotherhood bond develop as the season progressed. Last week quarterback Nick McAllister described the team as a family, and it showed in how they interacted with each other on and off the field.

The team may not have made it to the state championship, but they have a county of supporters who were cheering them on. We are proud of your incredible season.

So, here's a recap of the Hot Springs football team's season, in points and miles. The fall sports season may be over, but we're already looking forward to next year's journey.

Game 1 - Home loss to Denton-Geyser-Stanford-Geraldine 16-22

Game 2 - Lost at Centerville 40-43 (514 miles)

Game 3 - Won at Big Sandy (672 miles)

Game 4 - Home win over West Yellowstone (59-0)

Game 5 - Won at White Sulphur Springs 59-0 (532 miles)

Game 6 - Home loss to Lincoln (26-46)

Game 7 - Won at Gardiner 55-12 (711 miles)

Game 8 - Won at Alberton 76-0 (176 miles)

Game 9 - Home win over Noxon 57-6

Playoffs

First round win at Hysham 78-51 (991 miles)

Quarterfinal round home win over Highwood 46-8

Semifinal loss at Box Elder 54-57 (658 miles)