Wolf Point Can’t Overcome Slow Start In Tough Conference Loss

It was a frustrating night for Wolf Point’s football team. A slow start, too many penalties and turnovers resulted in a 22-7 home loss against Cut Bank on Friday, Sept. 30.

Despite the challenges of the first half which resulted in a 22-0 half-time deficit, Wolf Point displayed the character to outplay its opponent in the final two quarters before falling short in the conference contest.

Cut Bank appeared poised to increase its advantage to start the second half as the squad drove inside the Wolf Point 20. A play by Wolf Point’s Michael Bell changed the game’s momentum when he stripped the ball from Cut Bank’s quarterback and returned the fumble to the 45.

A nine-yard pass play from Juliun Benson to Gaige Bushman moved the ball inside Cut Bank territory. Wolf Point then used rushes by Maddox Reum and Benson to march inside the Cut Bank 30.

Wolf Point picked up another first down on a 10-yard dash by Corey Martell to the 13. After a couple of penalties by Cut Bank, Wolf Point reached the end zone on a seven-yard pass play from Benson to Kraven Silk. Preston Swenson kicked the conversion to pull Wolf Point to 22-7.

Strong defensive plays by Bell and Swenson turned the ball back over to Wolf Point near midfield. That threat, however, ended when Cut Bank’s Tristen Sydenstricker intercepted a pass with 1:39 left in the third quarter.

After starting its next possession on its 33, Wolf Point gained a first down on a fourth-down play when Silk picked up a fumble and raced six yards for a first down. A 50-yard run by Benson for an apparent touchdown was called back due to a holding penalty, but Wolf Point kept the drive alive on the hard running of Reum and Benson.

Wolf Point drove as far as the 15, but Cut Bank’s defense stopped the threat there with only three minutes to play.

Cut Bank scored on a 50yard drive to open the contest.

A 36-yard pass from quarterback Caleb deManigold to Tate Monroe gave Cut Bank a 6-0 lead with 9:31 left in the first quarter.

Wolf Point responded by driving to the Cut Bank 21, but the possession when a fourth-and-one quarterback sneak came up short.

After a fumble by Wolf Point was recovered by Cut Bank’s Skyler Peterson at the Wolf Point 21, Cut Bank went on to score on a two-yard run by Alex Wahl with 9:43 left in the half. Sydenstricker caught a deflected pass for the two-point conversion and a 14-0 margin.

Cut Bank’s third touchdown of the half came on a 40-yard interception return by Holden Boggs with 8:12 left in the second quarter. A pass from deManigold to Sydenstricker on the conversion put the margin at 22-0.

Leading Wolf Point’s rushing attack were Reum with 82 yards and Benson with 71 yards.

Cut Bank’s Peterson finished with 103 yards rushing. Wolf Point will host Fairfield for seniors’ night on Friday, Oct. 7.

SilkKraven Silk carries the ball to pick up a first down against Cut Bank. Wolf Pointwill host Fairfield on Friday, Oct. 7.(Photo by Bill Vander Weele)