Wild Mission run ends at Fort Benton
At Fort Benton, the Mission Bulldogs faced the top-ranked Longhorns in the opening round of the 8-man state playoffs Saturday, falling 61-6 in their final game of the season.
The opening drive showed promise as Mission was successful in advancing the ball into Longhorn territory. Though the run game didn’t prove to be very productive, quarterback Kellen McClure completed a half dozen throws to a quartet of receivers and had the Bulldogs knocking at the door of the red zone. But on fourth and long, a pass was intercepted inside the 5 yard line as the drive ground to a halt.
Thereafter, the Longhorns lived up to their perch atop the polls as they capitalized on drive after drive.
Of the half dozen series that Mission had possession of the ball before the half, only one drive would bear fruit as Bryce Umphrey was able to squeeze into the end zone during second-quarter action. The remainder would entail a single four and out in the first quarter, while the rest of the drives would grind to a halt on interceptions.
The Bulldog defense did manage to shut down one Longhorn red zone foray early in the second quarter. With Fort Benton knocking at the door on second and goal at the 10, Mission's Zoran LaFrombois recovered a fumble at the 3 yard line.
After a pair of Charley Adams runs sandwiched a Bryce Umphrey pass reception, McClure found Canyon Sargent for a 55-yard gainer that put Mission square within the red zone. But the ensuing pass attempt was picked off.
After the host Longhorns scored on their opening drive in the second half kickoff, Mission gave up possession with a fumble on the ensuing kickoff.
The Longhorns then scored on a field goal that grazed over the top of the crossbar.
Another instance of fortuitous ball bouncing was the "double Hayden" hook and ladder play that culminated in the final scoring drive of the first half. Longhorn quarterback William Ullery connected with receiver Hayden Diekhans down the sideline for about three dozen yards. But as Diekhans was on the verge of being forced out of bounds by the Mission defense, he lateraled the ball to fellow Longhorn Hayden Axtman, who finished off the play with the score.
Though the score may have been lopsided, the caliber of play exhibited by the Bulldogs impressed many in attendance. It was recognized that Mission features a lot of returning players who with further seasoning are anticipated to be a force to be reckoned with over the next couple of years.
This was the second trip to the playoffs in as many seasons for Mission, perhaps an indication of what lies beyond the horizon.
Head coach Tyler Murray said he was happy with the season and optimistic about his team’s future.
“The 2020 football season was a wild ride. Ups and downs, Covid. Injuries. A lot came into account but we found a way to get into the playoffs for the second year in a row. Found some great leaders along the way of all classes. With who we have returning, next year we will have some higher expectations.”
Fort Benton 61, Mission 6
Mission (6-4), Fort Benton (7-0)
Mission 0 6 0 0 – 6
Fort Benton 12 32 11 6 – 61
FB – Hayden Diekhans 32 pass from Ullery (run failed)
FB – William Ullery 28 run (pass failed)
FB – Jace Thompson 29 pass from Ullery (H.Diekhans pass from Ullery)
FB – J.Thompson 14 INT return (J.Thompson run)
MSI – Bryce Umphrey 1 run (pass incomplete)
FB – Ullery 75 KO return (H.Diekhans pass from Ullery)
FB – H.Axtman 5 lateral after H.Diekhans 35 pass from Ullery (Ullery run) H&L
FB – J.Thompson 18 run (H.Axtman run)
FB – Dane Byle 30 field goal*
FB – Morgan Axtman 4 run (pass failed)
RUSH – MSI 17-5 (Charley Adams 6-11, B.Umphrey 4-7, Javon Bolen 1-1, L.Spidel 4-(-4), K.McClure 2-(-10)), FB 38-248 (J.Thompson 16-115, Ullery 8-74). PASS – MSI (Kellen McClure 21-37-177-6), FB 8-10-185 (Wm.Ullery 7-9-170-0, H.Diekhans 1-1-15, Cade Ball 0-0). RECEIVE – MSI 21-177 (B.Umphrey 12-81, Canyon Sargent 2-72, Zoran LaFrombois 3-13, Layne Spidel 2-8, Charley Adams 1-3, John Komotios 1-0), FB (H.Diekhans 3-72). INT – MSI 0, FB6 (Ullery 3, H.Diekhans 2, J.Thompson). FF – MSI(Z.LaFrombois). FR – MSI(Z.LaFrombois). SK – FB(Tim Lane). TFL – MSI (L.Spidel), FB8 (T.Lane 2, H.Axtman 2). TKL/AST – MSI30t/a (Ch.Adams 8, Ian Killorn 5, B.Umphrey 4, L.Spidel 3, Deago Hostetler 3, J.Komotios 2, Ross McPherson 2, C.Sargent, Lalo Bravo, Kenny Ness), FB30t24a (J.Thompson 5t3a, H.Diekhans 6t, Andrew Ballantyne 5t1a).