Cowboys Open Season With Home Victory Over Chinook

Culbertson’s defensive unit was ready for the football season as the Cowboys held Chinook scoreless for most of the game to earn an 18-8 opening victory.

“Defensively, we looked good,” Culbertson Coach Brian Manning said after the game.

He mentioned the solid defensive play of Nyreece Halvorson and Mark Kirkaldie up-front along with strong performances from Gavin Deen, Micah Eagleboy and Bridger Salvevold. The Cowboys intercepted three passes in the home win.

“I’m proud of how they played,” Manning said of the team’s effort.

The Cowboys accounted for the game’s first big play when Salvevold picked off a pass and returned the ball to the Chinook six.

On first down, a quick throw from Salvevold to Reese Moon put the ball on the one. From there, Salvevold battled into the end zone with 8:34 left in the opening quarter.

Chinook’s offense responded by driving from its own 15 to inside the Culbertson 10 on the running attack featuring Landen Beck and Oliver Standiford. Facing a fourth-down play at the seven, Chinook’s threat ended when Kirkaldie put pressure on the quarterback to force a fumble.

The Cowboys used passes from Salvevold to Kirkaldie and Dawson Bergum to drive deep inside Chinook territory late in the half, but Culbertson came away empty handed on both trips.

The beginning of the second half was more successful for Culbertson’s offensive attack as runs by Eagleboy and Carson Solem earned consecutive first downs. A 12-yard quarterback keeper by Salvevold was good for another first down at the Chinook 26.

After a five-yard gain by C. Solem, Salvevold took off for an 18-yard run to the three. Two plays later, Salvevold scored for a 12-0 lead with 7:55 left in the third quarter.

The Sugarbeeters drove inside Culbertson territory late in the period, but the threat ended when Bergum intercepted a pass to keep Chinook off the scoreboard.

On Chinook’s first possession of the fourth quarter, freshman Brooks Solem made an outstanding, leaping interception at the Culbertson 23.

On second down at the 28, Eagleboy broke loose for a 52-yard touchdown run to put the Cowboys ahead 18-0 with 7:06 remaining in the non-conference game.

Chinook scored its points in the contest’s final minute. A 20-yard pass from Ryan Bell to tight end Jackson Nordboe produced a first down at the two. The Sugarbeeters reached the end zone on a throw to Nordboe with 21 seconds left. A shuttle pass from Bell to Standiford on the conversion put the margin at 18-8.

The Cowboys finished with 147 yards rushing and 94 yards passing. Salvevold ran for 66 yards and Eagleboy added 59 yards. Kirkaldie made three catches for a total of 68 yards. Chinook accounted for 114 rushing yards and 71 passing yards. Beck ran for 101 yards on 24 carries.

Culbertson begins league action in Circle on Friday, Sept. 1.