Big Sky Avalanche-13, Flathead Monsters-28
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Columbia Falls High School Field- Columbia Falls, Montana

Courtesy of Sam Fernandez, Flathead Monsters.

 

After all the paint dried, the Monsters came away with their second victory.  The Monsters opening offensive drive was 97 yards for the game’s first points.  Flathead had big runs from Josh Ybarra and Henry Atkins.  Tight end Brian Dasenbrock put the Monsters in scoring position with a 31-yard catch and run.  The Avalanche defense held the Monsters to 2 yards on first and second down from the 10-yard line.  On third down, QB Sam Fernandez scrambled to his left and dove into the endzone for the 10-yard score.

 

The Avalanche responded with a scoring drive of their own, led by QB Brandon McBride.  The offense slashed the Monsters defense with short passes and trap runs.  McBride hit WR David Jenkins for the 5-yard strike but the extra point was short, leaving the score 7-6.

 

Defensively, the Avalanche came up with two interceptions in the first half, one by LB James King, who tipped the ball to himself.  Both offenses struggled to sustain drives in the second and third quarters.  The score was still 7-6 midway through the third quarter.

 

The Avalanche offense found rhythm once again behind runs by James King and Kevin Carter.  McBride connected with receiver Jake Nelson for three first down throws before running it in himself from 15 yards out.  The extra point sailed through the uprights giving the Avalanche a 13-7 advantage.

 

Flathead responded with a long drive of their own.  Once again, Dasenbrock put the Monsters in scoring position with a 37-yard catch and run.  Atkins scored on a 4 yard scamper with the extra point sailing through to give the Monsters a one-point lead over the Avalanche.

 

The 4th quarter saw 4 different turnovers, two fumbles and two interceptions for the Monsters defense.  Monster CB Brent Mahan returned an interception 85 yards for a touchdown, and Monsters LB Ropeti also had a pick-six for the Monsters to seal the game.

 

Next week, the Big Sky Avalanche will have a bye week before traveling to Great Falls to face the red-hot Gladiators on May 21st.  The Flathead Avalanche will travel to Salt Lake City (Bountiful) to face-off against the Wyoming Outlaws at the Stars and Stripes Academy.