Braves deliver last-minute TD to defeat Hellgate

by Jake Baranek

After a first game blowout against the Lethbridge Rams,  the Hellgate Knights proved more of a challenge to the FHS Braves. The Braves pulled out a come-from-behind victory late in the fourth quarter of last Fridayís game, giving the Braves a 2-0 mark going into tonightís game versus Helena Capital.

The Braves, which only six days earlier beat Lethbridge 42-10, trailed Hellgate 7-0 late in the first quarter after 69-yard run by the Knightsí Pat McClellan.

ìWhen you give a team a big play it gets them fired up and hopefully doesnít get your team down,î said head coach Bob Applegate. ìI think our kids handled it well. We came back and scored just before the half.î

That score came at the hands of senior Justin Kasberg on a two-yard run, followed by junior Nate Sloanís extra-point.

ìIt felt good knowing we had a score and a good chance to win,î said Kasberg

The Knights started the second half  scoring on a 29-yard pass, but the extra-point was blocked by Kasberg.

ìIt was a big block,î said Applegate. ìThat was the turnaround for us. It made the decision whether to kick or go for two, when we scored easy.î

With 3:28 left, the Knights had the ball on the 50-yard line when a fumble was recovered by Bravesí senior Rusty Buller.  On the ensuing Bravesí second down, senior Derek Price, who had gone out with leg cramps two plays before, ripped off a 25-yard run on a reverse to put the Braves deep into Knight territory. On the next play Bravesí junior Matt Regier hit Price at the one.

ìThe excitement was just huge,î said a tearful Price after the game. ìIt was my teammates that helped me get back in.î

ìThe reverse was probably the play of the game,î said Applegate. ìI imagine that probably got us our momentum back. Those two plays back-to-back (to Price) were very important.î

On first down and goal, Regier left the game with an injury. On second down, with senior Brandon Smith in for Regier, the Braves experienced the same level of success.

With 58 seconds left in the game, Regier came back and hit Kasberg for a three-yard strike to tie the game. The extra-point by Sloan put Flathead ahead 14-13.

ìI hated the feeling of being out of the game, but I knew Bugs (Smith) was a good quarterback,î said Regier. ìAs soon as I let it (the pass) go I knew Kazzy (Kasberg) had it.î

The win showed coach Applegate where his team excelled and where it needed work.

ìWe threw the ball fairly well and our running game was better,î said Applegate  ìOur offensive line is getting better and we ran to the ball well on defense.î

ìOne thing offensively (that needs improvement) is being more consistent and not hurting ourselves,î said Applegate. ìWhen playing option teams we need to work on our defensive responsibilities.î

The Braves line up against Helena Capital tonight hoping to avenge a loss they experience last year in Helena. The 19-31 loss was the only game FHS lost last year.

ìItís a big game for us,î said Applegate of tonightís game. ìWe can be 3-0 going back on the road and that would give us great momentum.î

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