The Hamilton Broncs held off a strong Billings Central team on Saturday in the Class A State quarterfinals. Billings Central defeated Hamilton last year in the state championship but that was not to be this time. Hamilton relied upon a strong, balanced attack to win, 34-17.
Billings Central came into the game as the No. 3 Seed from the East. They defeated Glendive last Saturday to move on to the game against Hamilton. Hamilton had a first round bye. Central hit the ground focussed and ready to play. After kicking off to Hamilton, the Rams intercepted the first pass of the game and then scored on the next play with a 10 yard run by Michael Hayden. Only 55 seconds had elapsed in the game. With the PAT by Camden Capser, Central took the lead.
“They had a good game plan,” said Hamilton coach Bryce Carver. “Taking a week off last weed with the bye, you got to kind of come out and get your game back, get your game speed.”
Hamilton quickly regrouped but did have some issues with penalties, as did Central, especially in the first quarter. The markers went back and forth quite a bit as one side would be offsides and then the other would false start. Hamilton went to a running game and moved the ball down the field until Carson Rostad pushed through from three yards out for the six points. The PAT by Tyson Rostad was blocked.
Hamilton took the lead with just one-second remaining in the first quarter when Carson Rostad completed a 19 yard pass to his brother, Tyson, for the score. The PAT by Tyson Rostad was good and Hamilton had the lead. Central regained the lead midway through the quarter when Rams quarterback Marcus Whitman called his own number for a two yard push through the Bronc line for the score. The PAT by Casper was good and Central had the lead again.
Then Hamilton’s Landon Duce went to work. With his quick feet, he ducked and dived up the field, moving the ball. An interlude pass from Carson Rostad to Jaiden Klemundt moved the ball for another first down at the Rams’ 32 yard line. On a second and six to go, Duce followed his blockers who opened the seams and allowed him to pass through for a 28 yard touchdown. The PAT was good and Hamilton took the lead, for good.
“We probably ran the ball better than we’ve run it in a long time,” said Carver. “They have a really stout defense that does a great job. The (Hamilton) ’O’ line, they did an awesome job because half those guys, they play on defense too and you just get pounded every play and they were mentally tough enough to stay with it.”
Billings Central made another run at scoring but was stopped at the 22 yard line. With time running out in the half, Central went for a field goal. The 42 yard attempt by Casper was good.
Hamilton regrouped at the half and the Bronc defense came out and got a stop on Central right away. The Rams had to punt and Hamilton took over on offense. A slew of penalties kept either side from gaining any ground before Hamilton finally gained some momentum after a fourth down and five to go trick play.
“Carson to Tyson to Mason Murray – we’ve had that play in the back pocket for a while,” said Carver. “I don’t know if 4th and five is the best time to call it but it works for us. We practice and kids are able to come out and do stuff in tough situations.”
The play changed the momentum for the Broncs. Carver said that anytime they can get a first down on a fourth down play, that really helps. Carson Rostad went on to push into the end zone from two yards out. The PAT was good.
Although Central continued to apply pressure to the Broncs, the Broncs pushed right back. Junior Tyler Burrows who plays on both offense and defense on the line said, “We worked very hard during practice and it showed it out on the field. This was a great team win.”
Hamilton scored once more in the game, this time on a Duce three yard run. “We have a lot of trust in our line, said Carson Rostad. “They’re big, they’re good, just follow them, follow their blocks, we were able to gain.”
Hamilton rushed for 246 yards. Duce finished with 115 yards on 20 carries and Carson Rostad had 129 yards on 20 carries. Carson Rostad was 6Ish of 11 from the air with 59 yards and two interceptions.
Hamilton will travel to Miles City for the semi final game on Saturday. Miles City is the No. 1 Seed from the East and is undefeated. Last year, Hamilton knocked the Cowboys out of the playoffs in semi final action so the Cowboys are looking for a little revenge. Carson Rostad said they are a dual threat team, much like Hamilton, with players who can run or pass.