Chiefs lay foundation for program's future with quarterfinal appearance

RONAN — The Ronan Chiefs began to build momentum on White/Hall Harrison in the third quarter of the Class-B quarterfinal contest Saturday at Ronan High School.

Ronan rallied from being down 14-0 and later 28-6 to make it a game in the third quarter with two critical turnovers that narrowed the deficit to 28-26 after the Chiefs failed a 2-point conversion attempt.

The Chiefs were unable to sustain momentum after safety Noah Cheff went down with an injury.

“We had momentum, White Hall was driving down the field, and I thought we were going to get a stop,” Detwiler said. “That is when Cheff passed out from heat exhaustion and became unconscious for a solid minute probably. That moment scared everyone, including the crowd, and everyone thought it was a lot worse than it actually turned out to be. He knew his name and he knew where he was. When he found out he missed his last game, he freaked out about that and was not happy. That moment really took away from the momentum that we had.”

After Noah Cheff was out of the game, the Chiefs put Happy Cheff at safety, a position he hadn’t played all season.

“He had not played a single down on defense all season,” Detwiler said. “That was two minutes of coaching and a lot of coaching from the sidelines. In that kind of position, there is only so much that you can do when you haven’t played a down of defense.”

Detwiler said he felt the Trojans’ offensive weapons were another reason Ronan got eliminated in the quarterfinal game.

“They were really good and they played right with them the whole way,” Detwiler said. Even when we were down by two possessions with like three minutes left, our players weren’t giving up huge runs or hanging their heads. They were on defense, trying to get the ball back, and holding onto their season with every ounce of energy they had.”

Though Detwiler’s team hosted a playoff game for the first time in nearly 24 years when the Chiefs had a Class A designation, he said he is still thinking about the state championship game as the ultimate goal.

“This season was awesome and I am really happy for our seniors,” Detwiler said. “Ronan hasn’t hosted a playoff game in 24 years. The season was all good and fun. At the start of the season and the beginning of two-a-day practices, we had a sign that said ’94 days, why not us?’”

Detwiler and his Chiefs said they “desire more” next season.

“We’ve been putting in the work since it was in the 90s, and with rain, snow, and heat,” Detwiler said. “When you get this close, why not capitalize on your opportunity? It’s been an awesome season but I know the kids want more.”

Detwiler said several Chiefs have already begun their quest to return to the playoffs next season by being in the weight room immediately after ending their season.

“I was in the weight room with a couple of kids and that is what we were talking about last week,” Detwiler said. “What is going to be your legacy or mark that you are going to leave on Ronan? Our seniors left a great legacy and now we are wanting to add a little bit more to that legacy. We want to be a hungry team going into next year.”

CHIEFS STAT PACK

Whitehall 40, Ronan 26

Ronan pulled within 26-28

Whitehall 14 14 0 12 – 40

Ronan 0 14 12 0 – 26

W – Wyatt Alexander 25 pass from Braden Larsen (kick failed)

W – Andrew Simon 29 pass from Larsen (Alexander from Larsen)

W – Alexander 27 pass from Larsen (Simon kick)

W – Braden Smith 19 pass from Larsen (Simon kick)

R – 26 pass (kick failed) who caught the pass? R player 26 pass from Mock (kick failed)

R – 22 run (run) R player name 22 run (R player run)

R – QB 1 run (kick failed) R QB 1 run (kick failed) was it Mock or Blood?

R – 32 pass (run failed) R player 32 pass from Mock? (run failed)

W – Lane Buus 25 pass from Larsen (kick failed)

W – Simon 23 pass from Larsen (pass failed)