Warriors one step closer to playoffs
ARLEE DEFENSIVE lineman George Shick tackles Mission High School football quarterback Troy Mitchell in the third quarter of Friday night's game at Mission High School. The Warriors big victory puts them in a good position as they head into their bye week because Hot Springs forfeited their Class C, 8-man season because of lack of participants. (Photo by Jason Blasco/Lake County Leader)
When you ask Arlee High School football coach Chuck Forgey about any game, he will respond that the game is won on the offensive and defensive line.
Forgey, who was a former lineman at Montana Tech, was correct in his prediction of how the game between Mission-Arlee would be won.
Forgey praised the front play of his line, specifically Nathaniel Coulson, George Shick and Rory Bird as key contributors to the 50-16 victory over Mission Friday night at Mission High School.
The victory also assured the Warriors will play the No. 3 seed from the south in the play-in game that determines seeding and playoff position between the northern division and the southern division of the district.
“With the victory against Mission, we will play the number three seed from the South and either Mission or Plains will have to play the No. 2 seed from the south,” Forgey explained.
Forgey said he knows the finality of each contest from here on out and has declared every team the Warriors face will be considered a “playoff game.”
The Arlee-Mission game was a physical contest despite the fact the Warriors won by a lopsided margin.
“They weren’t afraid to hit and I thought the boys came out, were very good and a very aggressive football team,” Forgey said.
After studying the game film, Forgey was quick to give credit to his offensive line, running backs Will Mesteth, Darshan Bolen and quarterback Lane Schall.
“All eight of those guys on the front lines did a nice job. We went to the ball well and were really aggressive. In that second half we played outstanding,” Forgey said.
Forgey also felt the Warriors’ running backs did a “nice job.”
“When you look at the film our RBs ran hard and we were able to get the extra yards,” Forgey said. “We stuck it out and went for long gains. They put the ball right where they needed it to be, just pounded it in there, ran pretty dang hard in that game and just did a fine job for us.”
Arlee will head into the bye week and according to Forgey, the week couldn’t have come at a more opportune time.
“I like the team that we have, we had some really nice players and we are improving every week,” Forgey said. “(The bye week) couldn’t have come at a better time.”