Bulldogs trample Savage Horsemen
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HOT SPRINGS — The Mission Bulldogs kept their playoff hopes alive by completely running over the Savage Horsemen in a 59-22 District 7-B whipping in Hot Springs Friday night.
Running behind an offensive line that dominated the line of scrimmage the entire night, the Mission backs racked up 541 yards on 52 carries and ran the ball into the end zone nine times.
“It’s big, it’s real big. You don’t see that too often. They had an outstanding game,” Mission coach Peter Hamilton said of the more than 500 yards of rushing.
With the win the Bulldogs kept their chances of making the playoffs for the first time since 2000 alive, but they will have to beat Bigfork Thursday night at home to earn the final spot. The Vikings sit atop the district with a perfect 4-0 record.
The win also improved the Bulldogs' record to 5-3 and ensured their first winning season since 2000 and with only five seniors on the team, is something the Bulldogs can build on in the upcoming years.
“It’s a big step,” Hamilton said of the Bulldogs’ winning season. “Hopefully we'll take the next step and make the playoffs. That was our goal at the start the season and we put ourselves in a position to do it. I’m excited for the opportunity,” Hamilton said.
The Bulldog offensive line completely overpowered the Savage Horsemen pushing them off the ball and making holes big enough for a car to drive through.
“We’re not very big; they were bigger than us. We just used our athletic ability and our speed to beat them off the ball and beat them to the punch,” Hamilton said.
Normally a ground and pound team that controls the clock with long drives, with the dominance of the Bulldog line, the backs made big play after big play, averaging nearly 10.5 yards a carry.
Austin Durglo racked up 286 yards on 21 carries and scored three touchdowns. Playing in his first full season, after being injured in the first game last year, Hamilton said that Durglo has become more assertive on offense and has gotten stronger with each game.
“He’s getting after it. He’s running real hard. He’s grown up a lot this year,” Hamilton said.
Durglo had touchdown runs of 20, 3 and 29 yards.
Lane Wheeler, one of the five seniors on the team, made the most of his time in the Mission backfield. Taking the place of Chris McKay, who was sidelined with a shoulder injury, Wheeler finished with 161 yards and crossed the goal line three times, scoring on runs of 2, 27 and 33 yards.
Wheeler started the season as a running back, but moved to tight end when Hamilton told him it would help the team.
“He started the season in the backfield, but took a back seat because that’s the kind of unselfish kid he is, so it was nice to see when the opportunity came he made the most of it,” Hamilton said.
Scotty Gilleard finished with 83 yards on 12 carries and started the scoring in Mission’s 20-point first quarter with a 4-yard run. Gilleard also recovered a fumble and had seven tackles.
Mission linebacker Josh Durglo finished with nine tackles, a sack and returned an interception 21 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. Dylan Evans also finished with nine tackles and an interception. Dakota Matt collected a pair of sacks and six tackles.
Summary
Mission 59, Plains-H. Springs 22
Mission2014196–59
Plains0778–22
M - Scotty Gilleard 4 run (Josh Durglo kick),
M - Austin Durglo 20 run (J. Durglo kick),
M - Lane Wheeler 2 run (kick failed),
M - Wheeler 27 run (J. Durglo kick),
P - Tanner Ostrom 27 pass from Carson Lilja (Lilja kick),
M - Dylan Evans 4 run (J. Durglo kick),
P - Ostrom 19 pass from Lilja (Lilja kick),
M - A. Durglo 3 run (run failed),
M - A. Durglo 29 run (J. Durglo kick),
M - J. Durglo 21 interception return (kick failed),
M - Wheeler 33 run (kick failed),
P - Mike Grey 1 pass from Lilja (Ostrom pass from Lilja).
