Cowboys Suffers Tough Loss Against Fairview In League Play
After a promising start, Culbertson lost to defending state champion Fairview, 4718, in a football showdown of two undefeated teams on Friday, Sept. 13.
The hometown Cowboys grabbed the lead midway into the second quarter when Reese Moon raced 17 yards for a touchdown for an 18-14 advantage with 5:15 remaining in the half.
Fairview, however, started its next possession at the Culbertson 31 after a 47-yard kickoff return by Ryan Lustig. After quarterback Tyler Loan ran 16 yards for a first down at the 10, Culbertson’s defense stepped up with stops by Mark Kirkaldie, Micah Eagle Boy and Gavin Deen on the next two downs.
Facing third down at the seven, the Warriors scored on a keeper run by Loan. The conversion kick by Loan put Fairview up 21-18 with 2:28 left in the half.
On their next possession, the Cowboys reached midfield on a 23-yard dash by Bridger Salvevold. The standout senior, however, injured his ankle on the play and left the game. He returned in the second half but was limited.
After a poor snap exchange by the Cowboys, Fairview took over on the Culbertson 20 and went on to score on a third-down screen pass play from Loan to Wyatt McPherson for a 27-18 half-time lead.
A blocked punt gave Fairview possession on the Cowboy 23 early in the third quarter. McPherson reached the end zone on a six-yard run. Loan passed to Deacon Gackle on the conversion for a 3518 margin.
Culbertson’s defense played tought on Fairview’s possession and stopped the Warriors on a fourth-andfour running attempt.
The Warriors were able to increase their lead to 41-18 when Loan broke loose for a 45-yard touchdown run on the first play of the third quarter.
The Cowboys’ offensive attack looked good on their next possession as passes from Salvevold to Kirkaldie moved the ball into Fairview territory. A run by Eagle Boy earned the Cowboys a first down at the 32. Another pass to Kirkaldie and a gain by Moon put the ball at the Fairview 10.
The Cowboys, however, then had three straight incompletions and were unable to score on that drive.
Fairview’s last touchdown cane on a 14-yard dash by Loan with 1:50 remaining.
The game’s scoring started on an eight-yard pass from Loan to Gackle with 7:42 left in the first quarter. Loan kicked the PAT for a 7-0 margin.
Salvevold returned the ensuing kickoff 53 yards to the Fairview 20. The running of Moon advanced the ball inside the 10. After a threeyard gain by Moon to the six, Salvevold scored to cut the margin to 7-6 with 4:23 remaining in the quarter.
Fairview reached the end zone again when Gackle outjumped a defender in the end zone for a 27-yard touchdown pass from Loan. The conversion kick by Loan put the margin at 14-6 with 11 seconds left in the opening quarter.
The Cowboys couldn’t score on their next possession, but Moon then came up with a big play when the senior intercepted a pass and went 22 yards for a touchdown to pull Culbertson to 14-12 with 8:03 left in the half. After defensive plays by Eagleboy, Ian Snyder and Deen stopped Fairview’s offense, the Cowboys gained the lead on the 17-yard run by Moon.
Culbertson will host Plentywood for its homecoming game on Saturday, Sept. 21.
