Spartans Win And Are In Their 6th State Championship Game
The 2020 Scobey varsity football team found a way to play another day, and the next — and last — time is scheduled to be on the biggest of stages.
With a come-from-behind 44-28 victory over the Shelby Coyotes Saturday, November 14, on Plainsmen Field, the Spartans (10-1, 516-154, 46.9-14.0) have earned a berth in the Class C 8-Player State Championship Game. Their Saturday, November 21, opponent is the Flint Creek Titans (11-0, 606-70, 55.0-6.3), a cooperative agreement team consisting Drummond High School and Granite County (Philipsburg) High School, which are located northwest of Butte. The kickoff in Drummond is set for 1 p.m. (Radio: KCGM 95.7 FM. Internet streaming: nfhsnetwork. com). For a preview of the title game turn to page 8.
On a cold and windy day where the wind-chill factor dipped to 3 degrees above zero, the Spartans of 8thyear head coach Brock Berryhill dug down deep within themselves to find a way to overcome three deficits against a solid opponent: 15-14 and 22-14 in the second quarter and 28-22 midway through the third frame.
Touchdowns by Addison Stentoft on a 26-yard catch and run and a 1-yard plunge by Jayce Tande had Scobey ahead 14-0 early in the second quarter.
The strong west/northwest wind causing a short kickoff and a fumble recovery gave the Coyotes possession at Scobey’s 33 and 28 yard lines, which they quickly turned into a 15-14 lead with just over 5 minutes left before halftime. Still kicking into the wind, a Scobey punt sailed just 7 yards and Shelby had possession at the Spartans’ 27. Seven plays later it was 22- 14. The Spartans made it 22all when driving 65 yards in 2:24, passing nine times and rushing just twice, which was a preview of what was to occur in the second half.
By intermission Scobey had rushed the ball 18 times for 81 yards, which is an effective 4.5 average, and was 10-of-17 for 134 yards in the passing game. After a Scobey 3-andpunt to open the second half, Shelby used its first posses sion of the third quarter to score in five plays for a 28-22 lead. It was around this point where Berryhill decided to go with the passing game. On the ensuing possession the Spartans, still going into the strong wind, passed six times on eight plays but failed to convert on fourth down at Shelby’s 3-yard line. As luck would have it the Coyotes fumbled on the next play and Opheim’s Cole Taylor made the recovery at the 5-yard line. On the first and only play ofthe possession senior Jayce Tande found sophomore brother Boen Tande on a diving touchdo...
