Charlo secures playoff spot with win

PHILLIPSBURG — The Charlo football team clinched a playoff berth with its 54-18 win last Wednesday over Phillipsburg.

Charlo scoring was led by junior quarterback Chico Stipe, who had a hand in 42 points.

First, he threw a 52-yard pass to junior tight end Austin Bauer for a score. Stipe ran the ball in for two.

Next, he ran the next three touchdowns in himself and added two extra points on a run to end the first quarter 30-0.

Phillipsburg ran in for a touchdown in the second on the kickoff return, but Charlo made sure that was all the scoring Phillipsburg would see in the first half.

Stipe threw an eight-yard pass to Bauer before senior running back Chance Firestone ran the ball seven yards. Stipe took the ball himself 32 yards into the end zone.

Sophomore Ross Fullerton successfully ran twice for extra points for a score of 54-6 at the half.

In the second half, the Vikings were shut down and kept out of the end zone. Phillipsburg scored twice in the third quarter but couldn’t match Charlo on the scoreboard.

“Except for the kick off return they ran back, I was pleased with the boys’ effort,” head coach Steve Love said. “We made them earn their yardage while we scored at our season average.”

Stipe ran for 71 yards and three touchdowns while passing for 63 yards and two touchdowns.

Firestone led the team with 85 yards rushing, one touchdown and one interception.

Next up, the Vikings will try to secure the right to host a playoff game and finish second in the conference against Arlee on Friday night in Charlo.

“Arlee is a good team and they are playing awfully good football,” Love said.