The Corvallis Blue Devils stunned the Frenchtown Broncs in the first round of the Class A playoffs on Friday night in a hard fought game. The Blue Devils came from behind to win, 28-23.
Corvallis had to figure out how to contain Frenchtown’s sophomore ace, Jace Klucewich who had scored five touchdowns on them in the first game. This game he scored three touchdowns, the only three of the game. Coach Clayton Curley said that Frenchtown has a very dynamic team and his team worked hard to contain the Frenchtown offense. Klucewich scored the first touchdown with a one yard push and Tradd Richardson kicked the PAT, and he scored the second when he caught a four yard pass from Cade Baker pass for the score and Richardson kicked the PAT.
Corvallis scored in the second quarter when Hunter Pinheiro had an 18 yard run to the end zone. He also made the two point conversion. Pinheiro scored two more touchdowns, each one from one yard out. Pinheiro set a school record for the highest number of rushing touchdowns in one season.
“Our running game is still getting better,” said Curley. “Our seniors are playing well but our young kids are really coming along too.”
Quarterback Liang Liedle scored the first touchdown of the second half when he rushed 19 yards to the end zone. Jacob Dalby caught the two-point conversion pass.
Klucewich and the Broncs scored one more time in the fourth quarter and were knocking at the door late in the fourth quarter. But Jacob Barcus snagged a Frenchtown pass to stop the drive and win the game.
“It’s nice to get a win in the playoffs,” said Curley. “Our offense and defense really came together.”
Corvallis will play Laurel in Laurel at 1pm on Saturday. Laurel had a bye last week. They are the No. 2 seed from the East.
Hamilton, as the No. 1 seed in the West, will host Miles City, the No. 5 seed from the East. They defeated Belgrade, 46-7, in first-round action.
Florence traveled to Big Timber for first round action in Class B. The Falcons lost to Big Timber, 30-0.
Darby made its first post season appearance since they dropped down to Class C several years ago. TheTigers took on Shelby in Shelby. Shelby finished second in the state last year as a Class B school. Shelby won, 56-14. Dylan Parks scored a touchdown in the first half and another in the second half for Darby.