Pioneer senior runningback Weston Allderdice helped Big Sandy lock up a playoff spot in Montana Class C Six-Man football.
Freshman Kade Strutz put the final touches on a huge Pioneer win scoring a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Big Sandy will likely hold the Northern Division No. 2 Seed when brackets are released next week.
Big Sandy Pioneer Football team took a huge step to reaching their ultimate goal this season was an impressive 30-22 come from behind win over the Geraldine/Highwood Rivals this past weekend.
With the win the Pioneers virtually assure themselves of the Northern Division's number two seed entering the Montana Class C Six-man football playoffs which begin later this month.
Geraldine/Highwood was the first team to find the end zone reaching paydirt at the 3:07 mark of the first quarter and then converting the extra-point kick to take a 8-0 lead after 10 minutes of action.
The Pioneers methodically worked their way down the field, finding the end zone on the strength of a 3-yard run by freshman Tanner Allderdice with 6:09 left in the first half to bring the Pioneers within two, 8-6.
In what turned out to be a low-scoring first half, with just 14 points put on the board by the two teams, a defensive contest was expected to continue in the second half.
The Pioneers took their first lead of the game with 5:45 left in the third quarter on a 49-yard touchdown strike from Parker Prouix to Duke Darlington to give Big Sandy the lead 12-8.
The Rivals had an answer and retook the lead with just :31 seconds remaining in the third quarter to give Geraldine Highwood a 16-12 advantage.
The Rivals, as it would be, did not have the lead to start the fourth quarter as Big Sandy scored just 15 seconds later on a 40-yard touchdown run by senior Weston Allderdice to put Big Sandy back up on top 18-16 with just the fourth quarter remaining in the crucial Northern C clash.
The Rivals again scored to take a 22-18 lead just minutes into the 4th quarter.
Prouix this time found allderdice on a nice pitch and catch, this time resulting in a 37-yard touchdown score.
With a 24-22 lead in hand and time running down on the game clock Big Sandy was able to punch in another score with 1:50 remaining in the contest.
The Pioneers final points came on a 7-yard run by freshman Kade Strutz to extend the advantage to 30-22 and eventually secure the important Northern C win over the Rivals.
Statistically Big Sandy dominated the Rivals in offensive efficiency gaining 361 yards on just 44 plays while the Rivals managed 198 yards on 54 plays from scrimmage.
Big Sandy amassed 226 yards through the air and 235 yards on the ground.
Prouix completed four balls on the day for 126 yards and two scores. Allderdice ran the ball 26 times for 156 yards and one TD while Strutz added four carries for 56 yards and a score.
In the receiving department it was Darlington catching two balls for 89 yards and a score, while Allderdice snagged two receptions for 37 yards and a touchdown.
Big Sandy will close out the regular season this Wednesday against the Augusta Elk. A win will in all likelihood secure their position heading into the postseason. The Pioneers carrying impressive 6-2 record into the contest the Elk have yet to win a game this season.
The Montana class C State six-man football playoffs begin on Saturday October 28th and teams will be announced or confirmed later this week.
Big Sandy Pioneers 30
Geraldine/Highwood 22
Big Sandy - 0 6 12 12 - 30
Ger./Hwd - 8 0 8 6 - 22
1st Quarter
Ger./Hwd - Brady Duval 4 yard pass to Erik Nielsen (Kick Good)
2nd Quarter
Big Sandy - Tanner Allderdice 3 yard run (Kick no good)
3rd Quarter
Big Sandy - Parker Prouix 49 yard pass to Duke Darlington (Kick no good)
Ger./Hwd - Brady Duval 20 yard pass to Birgenheier (Kick Good)
Big Sandy - Weston Allderdice 40 yard run (Kick no good)
4th Quarter
Ger./Hwd - Spencer 20 yard run (Kick no good)
Big Sandy - Parker Prouix 37 yard pass to Duke Darlington (Pass failed)
Big Sandy - Kade Strutz 7 yard run (Pass failed)
