Defense Leads Red Hawks To Quarter-final Round Victory

With howling winds challenging offensive attacks, Froid/Lake’s defense made a statement in its quarter-final round playoff game against Harlowton/Ryegate on Saturday, Oct. 31.

The defense, highlighted with relentless pressure from linemen Quinn Abar and Colt Miller, dominated action as the Red Hawks marched on for a 52-6 victory in Medicine Lake.

“Our defense played amazingly,” Froid/Lake coach Michael Reiter said. “We wrapped up and tackled like we’re supposed to do.”

The coach noted that the play of linemen Abar, Miller, Walker Ator and Caden Kelm was the key.

“They set the tone right away,” Reiter said. “Everything started with them.”

Miller, a 213-pound senior, added, “It was so much fun. We just had to execute.”

Abar, a 204-pound sophomore, accounted for a remarkable game with three fumble recoveries including one for a touchdown.

“We work off each other well,” Miller said. “I have kind of took him under my wing. He’s definitely comparable to me.”

After Harlowton/Ryegate scored the game’s first touchdown with 4:41 left in the opening quarter, the Red Hawks responded with a 56yard dash by quarterback Mason Dethman for a 6-6 deadlock with 4:04 left in the period.

The Engineers’ next possession went no where due to defensive plays by Abar, Brett Stentoft and Miller.

Starting on their own 16, the Red Hawks went ahead to stay on another 56-yard dash by Dethman, a freshman, with 1:29 left in the first quarter.

Froid/Lake started its next drive on the Engineer 33, and the Red Hawks picked up a first down at the 10 on two nice runs by Ashdyn Hobbs. On second down, Dethman connected with Miller on a six-yard touchdown pass with 8:35 remaining in the half.

The Red Hawks finished the first half with a 58-yard scoring drive highlighted with passes to Stentoft and Miller. Facing a fourth-andeight situation at the 34, the Red Hawks kept the drive alive on a 12-yard scramble by Dethman.

After a short run by Stentoft to the 19, Hobbs broke loose on a sweep run for a 24-6 advantage with a minute left in the half.

Harlowton/Ryegate opened the second half by driving into Froid/Lake territory. The threat ended when Miller forced a fumble and the recovery was made by Stentoft.

After the Engineers’ next possession started on their own 13, they lost nine yards on a sack by Abar and Miller. On third down, a fumble in the end zone was recovered by Abar for a touchdown with 5:21 left in the third quarter.

Abar then recovered a fumble on a bad snap at the Harlowton/ Ryegate 11. Dethman scored on first down for a 36-6 advantage with 4:16 remaining in the third period.

Late in the third quarter, the Red Hawks gained possession at the Engineer 12 after a bad snap on a punting attempt.

Froid/Lake went on to score on a four-yard run by Dethman with 9:49 remaining in the game. Ator kicked the conversion for a 44-6 advantage.

After a blocked punt by Kelm produced a safety, the Red Hawks accounted for their last touchdown on a 36yard dash by Austen Hobbs with 4:41 remaining.

The Red Hawks will host Big Sandy at 1 p.m. in Medicine Lake on Saturday, Nov. 7. The other semi-final round game will feature Shields Valley playing at White Sulphur Springs.