Plains-Hot Springs wins but Mission avoids shutout

by Sam Kaufman < br > Bigfork Eagle
| October 27, 2004 12:00 AM

Although its playoff fate had already been sealed, the St. Ignatius football team hoped to conclude the season on a positive note Oct. 20 at Plains-Hot Springs.

Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, their season finale turned into somewhat of a track meet for the Savage Horsemen, who raced to a 30-6 victory in District B-8 action.

Plains-Hot Springs captured sole possession of third place with the win, while St. Ignatius ended its season with a 2-3 conference record and 3-5 overall.

The Savage Horsemen ran he ball with efficiency, churning out 235 yards to lead the offensive assault. Plains-Hot Springs controlled the ball and assembled several long scoring drives to take control.

The Savage Horsemen also distributed the ball nicely and received key carries from more than two running backs. Chris Brown paced the rushing attack by scoring twice for the Savage Horsemen.

At the same time, Plains-Hot Springs running back Andy Waldoch rushed for a game-best 62 yards on 13 carries. Waldoch also scored on a 20-yard run in the third quarter that gave the Savage Horsemen a commanding 30-0 advantage.

Although they trailed almost the entire game, the Bulldogs failed to roll over in the final quarter. No, St. Ignatius mounted its lone scoring drive of the night to avoid the shutout.

Quarterback Gus McDonald capped the scoring drive with a four-yard touchdown scamper to give St. Ignatius a highlight in an otherwise tough season-finale.

Kenny carpenter opened the scoring for Plains-Hot Springs with a 17-yard run in the opening quarter. The Savage Horsemen upped the lead to 16-0 in the second quarter, when Brown scored the first of his two touchdowns on a 29-yard run.

Plains-Hot Springs grabbed a commanding lead by scoring twice in the third quarter. Brown's 16-yard scoring jaunt ignited the quarter for the Savage Horsemen and Waldoch added his touchdown burst later that period.

St. Ignatius finished fourth in the conference standings. The Thompson Falls Blue Hawks finished first in league play with a 4-0 win=loss record for the conference.