The weather and the ground were not very helpful to either Hamilton or Butte Central on Friday night. After a day of rain, the ground was slick, and the dampness in the air made the ball slick. This combination led to 10 turnovers in the game, including four for Hamilton. The Broncs took advantage when they could and came back to win, 47-29.
Hamilton’s Manny Rivera broke loose to score the Broncs’ first touchdown on a run up the sidelines and tie the game early in the first quarter. It was Rivera’s number that was called in the second half also. He put up two more touchdowns to give the Broncs the 47-29 win. Carson Rostad hit Ty Chouinard for a long touchdown reception in the early minutes of the second quarter to get the momentum rolling for the Broncs. Chouinard also had a punt return for a touchdown.
Hamilton improved to 3-1 in conference play and 5-3 overall. They will play Whitefish on Friday in their final regular season game. The Broncs are currently in second place in the Southwest A conference behind Dillon and are in a position to host a playoff game in two weeks.
Victor secured a home field playoff game in two weeks with their win over Darby on Saturday. The Pirates defeated Darby, 48-8. Darby’s lone touchdown came late in the fourth quarter when Kye McCollaum ran 20 yards to the end zone.
Coach Lance Pearson said his team played well but that he did have to get after them at the half. He said he wasn’t pleased with the line and told them to play tougher. With the running clock in the second half due to the 35-point mercy rule, the Pirates tightened their defense and played much better according to Pearson.
Colt Neville began the Pirate scoring with a two-yard plunge. Jesse Pearson made the two-point conversion. Next up for the Pirates was speedster Jack Powell who had a 30-yard run. Neville made the conversion. Jesse Pearson had the next two touchdowns. He had a 20-yard run with Powell making the conversion good; and then Pearson recovered a fumble from 10 yards out for the second touchdown of the second quarter. Powell made the conversion. The Pirates also got a safety in the second quarter. Powell’s number was called again and he responded with a 40 yard scoring run. He also made the conversion. Pearson hit Powell from 30 yards out with a touchdown pass for the final Pirate score. Victor is tied with Arlee with a record of 5-2. However, since Victor defeated Arlee, 40-6, on September 9th, the tiebreaker goes to Victor. The Pirates will travel to Mineral County for their last regular season game against the Clark Fork Valley Mudcats.
Darby has a bye this weekend and so their season is done. They finish with a 4-4 record.
Corvallis’ duo-sport athlete, Caden Ayers, kicked a field goal late in their game against Livingston to clench a 17-14 non-conference win. Ayers’ field goal was from 37 yards out. Corvallis scored twice in the first quarter and then had to hold off Livingston who scored once in the second quarter and once in the third quarter to tie the game.
Corvallis’ Ridge Albright pushed through from one yard out for the first touchdown. Ayers kicked the PAT. Albright hit Garrick Richardson from 35 yards out for the second Blue Devil TD, and Ayers again kicked the PAT. Corvallis improved to 5-3 overall but they haven’t won a conference game yet. That may change as the Blue Devils take on Stevensville, who also have not won a conference game this season, this weekend.
Stevensville played the conference leading Dillon Beavers on Friday. Dillon won, 54-21. Liam LeCoure hit Alex Gavlak from 15 yards out for the first ‘Jacket touchdown. Chris Brownley kicked the PAT. The LeCoure/Gavlak combination scored twice more in the game. LeCoure hit Gavlak from six yards out in the third quarter, and then he completed a pass to Gavlak from 47 yards out in the fourth quarter. Brownley kicked both PATs.
Anaconda defeated Florence, 14-0.