Central Montana Sports Round-Up With Karl Koontz

Country Football on KMON Week #12 (11-12-23)

It’s hard to believe that the 2023 Montana high school football season is almost over. In late August 148 teams put on their pads, laced up their cleats, and snapped their chin straps in place as they took to the gridiron. All hoped to keep their seasons alive until the third weekend in November for the crowning of state champions. With Championship Friday and Saturday just a few days away only 10 of those football squads are still alive in the postseason. It’s an exciting time and out of the thousands of kids who play high school football each year in Montana only a few get the privilege of playing for a title.

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As far the small towns in the KMON listening area, the Boys of Fall acquitted themselves quite nicely again this season. Defending champ Belt in 8-Man and 6-man powerhouse Centerville both have a good shot at claiming the top prize. The Huskies will play at home against Fairview and the Miner’s look forward to a trip to the Northeast for a battle against Froid-Medicine Lake. Fort Benton’s campaign came to an end in Fairview in the semis, but the Horns made a nice playoff run after finishing runner-up to Belt in the North.

Saturday Afternoon Football Action:

Chris and Karl returned to Belt for the 8-Man Semifinal contest between the Huskies and the unbeaten Ennis Mustangs. Ennis won the wild Central Division that included area teams: Cascade, Choteau, and Simms. It was a windy Saturday that started off like it might be a defensive field position battle. Belt broke the ice with a long TD pass from Reese Paulson to Ethan Triplett, but the first period ended with Belt holding just a 6-0 lead. The Huskies opened things up the second stanza with a 22-point outburst behind stellar play from both sides of the line and fantastic defense. The big guys along the line, including: Johnny Tingey, Lane Waldner, Mac Hedstrom, and Luke Highfill, certainly deserve a lot of credit. Belt eased to a 44-6 to keep alive their hopes of a repeat. After an opening season loss to Fairview, Belt has dominated their opponents, outscoring the field by an amazing composite total of 448 to 18. On Saturday the Huskies get a shot at redemption for that early season setback.

Centerville put their 10-0 record on the line Saturday when they travelled to Custer for a contest against the Custer-Hysham-Melstone Rebels. That game followed the same pattern. It was 8-6 Centerville after one period, and then the Miners exploded for a 38-point outburst in the second. Luke Kelley led the onslaught as he amassed fur TD runs and threw for three more in the Miners’ convincing 65-37 win. Caden Olson grabbed two of those scoring tosses. The Miner’s had one close game so far this year, a 35-25 win over Roy-Winifred, but since then Coach Brian Davison’s charges have been in complete control of every game. Coach Davison put his name on three state championship trophies during his playing days in Highwood and he hopes to guide Centerville down the same road to glory.

Gridiron Action This Weekend:

So this weekend will settle a lot of bets as all five football classifications in the state will determine a champ. Among the 11-Man teams, Glacier will head to Bozeman for the AA title tilt, Dillon will host Columbia Falls in Class A, and in Class B Florence-Carlton will try to make it two in a row when they hit the road for Manhattan to go up against the Tigers.

For the local teams, both Belt and Centerville will be trying to ascend to the top spot on the podium for the third time in school history. The Huskies captured state chippers in 1994 and last season, and the Miners reached the pinnacle of success in 1999 and again in 2006 (those were both 8-Man teams). On Saturday, Centerville takes on Froid-Medicine Lake in an away game…way away, like 400 miles. The RedHawks took state two years ago. The game is set for 1:00 p.m. and the KMON broadcast crew will provide updates throughout their coverage of the closer to home Game of the Week.

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Saturday Afternoon Football Game:

Chris and Karl will return to Belt for the 8-Man finale when the unbeaten, #1 ranked Fairview Warriors come to town. It should be a real heavyweight showdown between a couple schools that are developing a pretty decent rivalry despite the fact that they’re separated by half a state. The two teams met to open last year’s football season (a Belt victory) and they tangled twice in last year’s state basketball tourney (Belt won the first and the Warriors got revenge in the consolation game). Fairview clipped the Huskies 21-20 to open this season so this game has the potential to be a classic. Kickoff for the “Rematch at Remington” is slated for 1:00 p.m. with the pregame show beginning about ten minutes prior. Tune in or you might be sorry.  On your AM radio at 560, streaming on our app and on our website.

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