Scobey Stops Poplar, 48-0, To Open Football Season

The Scobey Spartans came out with a great amount of energy and confidence to open their football season in Poplar on Friday, Aug. 28.

Scobey ran off 40 points in the first quarter and defeated the Indians by a 48-0 final.

“Defensively, getting the shut-out is always a big deal,” Scobey Coach Brock Berryhill said after the conference victory.

The coach was pleased that many different players contributed to the victory.

“We got a lot of guys a lot of reps,” Berryhill said. “But we have a lot of things to work on.”

The Spartans opened game with a quick-attacking offensive display that resulted in a 50-yard scoring drive. A counter run by Kolten Machart produced 24 yards down to the Poplar 28. Three plays later, Scobey kept the drive alive when Reese Tande passed to Teagan Fishell for a 10-yard gain to the nine. From there, Quinn Axtman dashed into the end zone. Tande passed to Blake Lekvold for the two-point conversion and an 8-0 lead.

After tackles by Tate Johnsrud and Aydan Stentoft stopped Poplar’s opening drive, Axtman returned a punt 22 yards to the Poplar 36. The Spartans went on to reach the end zone on a 20-yard run by Torsten Lamb with 7:54 left in the period. Liam Leininger ran in the conversion for a 16-0 margin.

Scobey’s next scoring drive consisted of 41 yards and featured the running ability of Axtman. The Spartans cashed in on a 12yard throw from Tande to Fishell with 5:51 left in the quarter. Axtman fought in for the conversion and a 24-0 advantage.

After Cam Cromwell intercepted a pass and raced down to the Poplar 14, Axtman scored on the next play from scrimmage. Axtman also ran in the conversion for a 32-0 lead.

Poplar’s next possession ended on a sack by Stentoft at the 21. When a bad snap occurred on a punt attempt, Reid Cromwell made the recovery at the 13. Scobey increased its lead to 40-0 on a threeyard run by Leininger and a conversion pass from Tande to C. Cromwell.

With a running clock, the Indians kept Scobey out of the end zone during the second quarter. After the Spartans drove deep inside Poplar territory, Poplar’s Chasen Pribbernow ended the threat with an interception.

The Indians kept playing solid defense in the second half as DaShaun Red Eagle was one of the top defenders. Poplar moved into Scobey territory during the fourth quarter when Anthony Youngman made a diving catch of a pass from Pribbernow for a 23-yard gain.

Scobey’s last touchdown was set up when Tyce Holum intercepted a pass and returned the ball to the Poplar four during the final minute. Simon Mc-Gowan passed to Holum for a touchdown. Curtis Leibrand ran in the twopoint conversion.

Scobey’s rushing attack was led by Axtman’s 79 yards on nine carries. Scobey’s defense held the Indians to 55 yards in the game. The Spartans will host Plentywood on Friday, Sept 4.