Charlo FB: So close, yet so far away
Charlo was 679 miles from home, but that didn’t stop them from
coming oh-so-close to beating No. 2 Fairview
FAIRVIEW, MONT. - The Charlo Vikings came out firing on all cylinders in their Class C quarterfinals matchup with Fairview High School, but couldn't hang on, as the Warriors eliminated the Vikings 40-32 on Saturday, Nov. 5 in Fairview.
Charlo, who had a ridiculously long bus ride of 679 miles, overcame the trip and nearly overcame the second-ranked Warriors.
"Our kids came out focused," Charlo head coach Mike Krahn said. "They didn't let getting to Fairview get to them. We caught Fairview on their heels. I didn't think they were ready for it.
"I think we had a good game plan," Krahn added. "The administrators were gracious and let us have two days. It was broken up nicely."
In the blink of an eye, Charlo held an 18-0 first-quarter lead. Quarterback Tra Ludeman stepped off the bus and into the end zone, scoring from 30 yards out for a 6-0 lead.
Ludeman then found Stephen Delaney on a 36-yard strike to boost the score to 12-0. The pair hooked up for a second time, this time from 21 yards out for an 18-point edge. Delaney finished with 78 yards on six grabs.
"Delaney had a great day," Krahn said. "He had two nice, long receptions where he was able to get behind the defense and use his speed."
Fairview finally had an answer, returning the ensuing kickoff 75 yards to make it 18-6 after one quarter.
The Vikings struggled to keep their momentum going in the second quarter, as the Warriors scored a pair of touchdowns while converting one of two two-point conversions, giving them a 20-18 halftime lead.
Charlo started the third quarter like they did the first, opening the scoring with a 25-yard pass from Ludeman to Jacen Petersen to go back on top. After the two connected for the two-point conversion, Charlo led 26-20.
Fairview answered with a score to tie the game at 26 heading to the fourth quarter.
Ludeman scrambled in from 34 yards out for his fifth touchdown of the game, giving the Vikings a 32-26 edge. The Warriors responded with a 1-yard touchdown run, tying the game once again.
After a stop, Fairview scored again to go up 40-32. Charlo had a chance to force overtime at the end of the game, but unfortunately, Fairview was able to slow down the explosive Viking offense, finishing the game and the Vikings' season.
"It's hard to be disappointed," Krahn said. "I'm proud of our kids, but disappointed for them."
Charlo incorporated several new players and made great strides as the season progressed, bouncing back from a 1-2 start against tough competition to make the playoffs as the West's No. 2 seed.
"We had good kids coming back, but we replaced a lot of kids," Krahn said. "It took time for them to jell and we had our backs against the wall, which adds pressure. Each week, our season was on the line and they responded. High school kids have a lot else going on and they handled it well. These guys were fun to work with; a good group of kids."
The Vikings finished the season 8-3.
FAIRVIEW 40, CHARLO 32
Charlo - 18 - 0 - 8 - 6 - 32
Fairview - 6 - 14 - 6 - 14 - 40
SCORING SUMMARY
Charlo - Tra Ludeman 30-yard run (run failed)
Charlo - Stephen Delaney 36-yard pass from Ludeman (run failed)
Charlo - Delaney 21-yard pass from Ludeman (run failed)
Fairview - Scott Andreasen 75-yard kickoff return (pass failed)
Fairview - Cody Vitt 5-yard pass from Brock Schriver (Vitt run)
Fairview - Schriver 6-yard run (pass failed)
Charlo - Jacen Peterson 25-yard pass from Ludeman (Peterson pass from Ludeman)
Fairview - Schriver 6-yard run (pass failed)
Charlo - Ludeman 34-yard run (PAT failed)
Fairview - Schriver 1-yard run (run failed)
Fairview - Schriver 4-yard run (Vitt run)