04/16 XTREME @ MONSTERS

Billings Xtreme-42, Flathead Monsters-25
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Columbia Falls, Montana- Columbia Falls High School Field

Courtesy of Sam Fernandez of the Flathead Monsters.

 

The Xtreme bounced back from their loss to the Gladiators with a hard-fought victory in Colombia Falls on Saturday.  The Xtreme used a vertical passing attack, timely runs and a stingy defense to take control of the game early.  Flathead’s David Garza scored his 40th RMFL touchdown on a diving catch just before half.  The Monsters fought back into the game with two touchdowns in the 4th quarter but the Xtreme defense forced another turnover to seal the game.

 

Billings started with the ball and drove the field for a touchdown on their first possession.  The Xtreme gashed the Monster defense with their running game early, setting up a short rushing touchdown.  Both RB Dedrick Bergan and QB Shaun Sideris ran the ball well for the Xtreme.

 

The Monsters went three-and-out on their first possession due to a sack by LB Eddie Franke. Both defenses stood tall in the first quarter, allowing a combined 6 points.

 

Flathead was able to generate plays in their passing game in completing long receptions from Mikey Kuehne and Brian Dasenbrock.  TE Ja’ton Simpson scored on a 2-yard run and Brian Dasenbrock’s kick helped the Monsters to a 1-point lead.

 

The Xtreme wasted no time in scoring on their next possession.  Sideris found a wide-open Ryan Frank for the 60-yard score.  Sideris punched in the 2-point attempt, giving the Xtreme a 14-7 lead.

 

Monster QB Sam Fernandez was intercepted on the following drive, and the Xtreme capitalized on the short field with another seven points.  The Monsters were able to shake off the turnover and get a drive going with a balanced attack.  RB Joey Ybarra found some running room and Fernandez was able to complete a long pass to Mikey Kuehne to set up a Garza score.  

 

The Xtreme responded with a quick drive of their own, and scored on a 25-yard halfback pass from Brogen to Frank just before half.  Billings led 29-13 at the half.

 

Fernandez threw a pick-six to CB Stephen Goodell on his first pass of the second half giving the Xtreme a 35-13 lead.  The Monsters offense struggled to get a first down in the third quarter but the defense held the Xtreme offense scoreless.

 

The Xtreme scored on another Frank reception to go up 42-13 with 11 minutes left in the game.  Flathead went three-and-out, giving the ball back to Xtreme.

 

Billings was driving again, but an errant pitch was grabbed by CB Brent Mahan and returned 50 yards for a Monsters touchdown.  The Monsters defense forced a three-and-out on the ensuing drive, and the Monsters offense came to life.  Fernandez found three different receivers on the next drive setting up first and ten on the 19 of the Xtreme.  TE Ja’ton Simpson found the end zone again, this time on a pass from Fernandez.  The Monsters defense stood tall one again, but Fernandez threw another interception ending all hopes of a comeback

Xtreme WR Ryan Frank caught 4 passes for 201 yards and 3 touchdown to help Billings to victory over the Monsters.  Ron LaForge was the team’s defensive standout with 7 tackles.  Levi Evjene had two interceptions on Monster QB Sam Fernandez, while Stephen Goodell intercepted him once for a return of 35 yards and the touchdown.

 

This week, the Billings Xtreme will travel to Boulder, MT to take on the winless Big Sky Avalanche at Jefferson High School.  Kickoff is at 6pm.  The Flathead Monsters will travel to Great Falls to face an undefeated powerhouse in the Gladiators.

 

ANARCHY

AVALANCHE

COBRAS

GLADIATORS

MONSTERS

OILERS

STAMPEDE