Football Roundup: Chiefs cool Corvallis in Snowfest

At Ronan, the Chiefs (3-6) defeated the visiting Corvallis Blue Devils (1-7) 18-13 in both teams’ season finale in a winter wonderland.

Corvallis scored early and held the lead throughout the first half. With under 2 minutes remaining before intermission, Payton Cates forced a fumble that Daniel Bishop scooped up off the slippery floor and scored to pull Ronan within one at the half.

Both teams tallied TDs shortly after the half. Quarterback Daniel Kelsch connected with Caleb Cheff on a deep pass to advance the Chiefs into the red zone. On fourth down, Kelsch scrambled for a score on a quarterback keeper for a 12-7 lead.

Corvallis countered with a long gainer to Seth Stoker. The Ronan defender made a play at an interception, but Stoker came up with the ball and rumbled the rest of the way as the Blue Devils retook the lead 13-12.

With Ronan deep in Corvallis territory on a fourth and goal with 4:34 remaining in the third, Trapper McAllister caught a go-ahead reception from Kelsch that put the Chiefs in the lead for good.

Head coach Matt Detwiler summed up the unique atmosphere of the season finale, saying his players "will remember that game for the rest of their lives for multiple reasons. From the consistent snow all night, people shoveling snow behind the offense, a senior's scoop and score, then finally the seniors and the rest of us sliding into the middle of the field to make snow angels after the seniors walked the field.

"Something else that sticks out to me is coming out on top of a close game ... that was really the cherry on top of the night."

Ronan 18, Corvallis 13

Corvallis 7 - 0 - 6 - 0 – 13

Ronan 0 - 6 - 12 - 0 – 18

C – Zach Pintok 15 pass from Bryce Mayn (Luke Wolsky kick)

R – Daniel Bishop 50 fumble return (run stopped)

R – Daniel Kelsch 2 run (pass incomplete)

C – Seth Stoker 51 pass from B.Mayn (kick glanced off xbar)

R – Trapper McAllister 8 pass from D.Kelsch (run stopped)

Warriors tame Tigers in season finale

At Arlee, visiting Darby scored twice in the opening frame on a snowy field. But thereafter, the host Warriors gained traction. A Noah Coulson touchdown reception and a Colt Crawford bolt for pay dirt gave Arlee a narrow edge at the half.

Thereafter, the Warriors would flex their strength all season by keeping it on the ground, scoring twice more behind runs from Jake Knoll and a quarterback keeper by Charley Crawford.

"It was a literal snow bowl," head coach Quinn Huismann said. "But resilience was the name of the game. The boys stayed calm since we’ve been in this position a few times, got some big stops and just had some hard nosed drives down the field. It was an amazing game to be apart of, so proud of these boys."

Arlee 30, Darby 12

Darby 12 - 0 - 0 - 0 – 12

Arlee 0 - 14 - 0 - 16 – 30

D – Brandon Leavens 58 fumble return (kick failed)

D – Nolan Lenny 38 run (run failed)

A – Noah Coulson 14 pass from Charley Crawford (pass failed)

A – Colt Crawford 1 run (Coulson pass from Ch.Crawford)

A – Jake Knoll 14 run (Knoll pass from Ch.Crawford)

A – Ch.Crawford 4 run (Knoll pass from Ch.Crawford)