Cowboys Celebrate Homecoming With 56-33 Victory
Culbertson’s offense, defense and special teams all took their share of time in the homecoming spotlight as the Cowboys rolled to a 56-33 win over Plentywood on Saturday, Sept. 21. “I’m much happier than last week,” Culbertson Coach Brian Manning said after the victory. He credited the defensive line featuring Gavin Deen, Mark Kirkaldie, noseguard Kaden Featherston and Henry Colton for being a key force in the contest. “We controlled the line of scrimmage.”
Deen and Kirkaldie created havoc in Plentywood’s backfield as Deen registered five sacks and Kirkaldie also added sacks.
Dawson Bergum, a senior, was also a prime time player as he returned two kicks for big yardage, made a remarkable touchdown catch and stripped the ball from a Plentywood receiver on a play that changed the game’s momentum around.
The conference contest’s first big play came when an interception by Bergum ended a threat by the Wildcats. After a 27-yard gain by Bergum to the Plentywood 22, quarterback Bridger Salvevold broke loose for an 18-yard run to the four. Salvevold then scrambled and passed to Kirkaldie for a touchdown. Salvevold ran in the conversion for an 8-0 lead with 4:52 left in the opening quarter.
Plentywood quickly answered with a 55-yard touchdown pass play from Will Shackelford to Carson Solberg. Just as quickly, the Cowboys came back to score on a 65-yard dash by Salvevold. Mena added the kick for a 15-6 lead with 3:55 left in the period.
After a sack by Deen ended the Wildcats’ next possession, the Cowboys put together a 63-yard scoring drive featuring the running abilities of Reese Moon and Salvevold. Culbertson reached the end zone when Salvevold battled in from the one with 8:41 remaining in the half.
The Wildcats’ Shackelford then connected with Solem on a long pass, but Bergum stripped the ball for a turnover. Salvevold picked the ball up and raced to the 37.
“It was a very, very heady play on his part,” Manning said of Bergum.
Culbertson went on to score on a six-yard dash by Moon to put the lead at 28-6 with 6:48 left in the half.
The Wildcats were able to pull to 28-13 on a 48-yard pass play from Shackelford to Ben Hagan at 5:11 mark. After a great kick return by Bergum, Salvevold scored on a nine-yard keeper. Mena’s kick increased the margin to 35-13.
After a 40-yard punt return by Bergum, the Cowboys ended the half when Moon made a great catch in the end zone. Mena’s kick put the score at 42-13.
Culbertson’s first touchdown of the third quarter came on a 37-yard pass from Salvevold to a diving Bergum in the end zone. Plentywood scored near the end of the period on a 21-yard pass play from Shackelford to Hagan for a 49-19 game.
Salvevold scored on a three-yard dash with 11:07 remaining. Mena kicked the conversion for a 56-19 advantage.
Plentywood scored two touchdowns in the final 8:05 on a 59-yard run by Hagan and an 11-yard dash by Shackelford.
Salvevold finished with 172 yards rushing and Moon added 103 rushing yards.
The Cowboys head to Ekalaka on Friday, Sept. 27.
