Red Hawks Advance With Semi-final Win Over Big Sandy
On some days, things don’t go perfectly. Those days feature turnovers along with penalties that slow down drives. But great teams still manage to find a way to win during those challenging times.
Despite some miscues, the Froid/Lake advanced to its second straight second championship game by defeating Big Sandy, 24-20, in the semi-final round in Medicine Lake on Saturday, Nov. 13.
“There was a lot of adversity, but a lot was self-inflicted,” Froid/Lake Coach Michael Reiter said, while mentioning two fumbles close to the end zone. “Offensively, we were fine but shot ourselves in the foot.”
After Big Sandy scored a touchdown to close the margin to 24-20 with 1:50 remaining, the Red Hawks were able to run out the clock. On a fourth-and-one play, the Red Hawks pulled the Pioneers off sides with a hard count to earn a first down with only 45 seconds left.
Despite the tough challenge, Froid/Lake’s sophomore standout Mason Dethman said he remained confident during the final minutes. “We haven’t bent in those situations,” Dethman said. “We made some mistakes, but then we got better.”
Defensive standouts for the Red Hawks included senior Javonne Nesbit at safety. “He did a great job,” Reiter said.
Linebacker Caden Kelm came through and played a solid role off the bench in the second half. “He stepped up in a tough spot,” Reiter noted.
The Red Hawks’ defense made a strong statement early when Quinn Abar and Ashdyn Hobbs stopped Braydon Cline on a fourth-andone run attempt at midfield in the first quarter. A diving catch in the end zone by Nesbit on an 11-yard pass from Dethman put Froid/Lake up 6-0 with 5:39 left in the opening period.
A fake punt play and a face-masking penalty helped the Pioneers drive inside Froid/Lake territory. Big Sandy scored on a 26-yard throw from Cline to Lane Demontinery with 3:15 left in the period. Cline kicked the conversion to put the Pioneers ahead 8-6.
The Red Hawks responded with a 65-yard scoring drive. A nice run by Ashdyn Hobbs moved the ball close to midfield. Dethman then connected with Abar for a 30-yard pass play down to the eight. The Red Hawks went on to score on a two-yard run by fullback Brett Stentoft for a 12-8 advantage with 12 seconds remaining in the period.
After standout defensive plays by Austen Hobbs, Stentoft and Ashdyn Hobbs, the Red Hawks struck again on a 28-yard throw from Dethman to Ashdyn Hobbs to increase the margin to 18-8 with 8:23 left in the half.
Froid/Lake took further control in the second half when Dethman connected on a 31-yard pass to Abar for a 24-8 lead with 8:49 remaining in the third quarter.
The Red Hawks kept that margin until Big Sandy scored on a seven-yard pass from Cline to Kody Strutz to cut the gap to 24-14 with 4:09 left in the third period.
Big Sandy put together a 58-yard, 14-play drive to come as close as 24-20. A three-yard pass from Cline to Demontinery came with 1:50 remaining.
The Red Hawks will face Power/Dutton/Brady in Dutton on Saturday, Nov. 20. The state title contest starts at 1 p.m.
Froid/Lake defeated Power/ Dutton/Brady, 58-22, earlier this season, but the Titans have been on a roll during the last several weeks.
“We have to eliminate the mistakes that we’re making,” Reiter said.
