Scotties Clock The Mustangs

The Glasgow Scottie football team came out of the gates on fire last Friday night against their 2B conference rivals, the Malta Mustangs, and cruised to a decisive 38-6 victory. The Scotties – stocked with key players from Glasgow, Nashua and Hinsdale this season – had their foot on the gas pedal in the first half to build a 35-0 lead and start a “running clock” before halftime.

Entering the game, GHS was ranked sixth statewide in Class B and Malta seventh. Afterward, the Scotties remained No. 6 and Malta dropped out of the Top 10.

The Scotties got things rolling in the first quarter on a 42-yard TD pass from Jason Thibault to one of his favorite targets, tight end Keil Krumwiede.

Later in the first quarter, Jonathan Koessl tackled the Malta punt returner in the end zone for a safety to increase the Scotties lead to 8-0.

Malta kicked the ball off to Glasgow after the safety, and the Scotties used a little football trickery. GHS executed a 20-yard hook-and-ladder scoring play consisting of a 10-yard pass from Thibault to Chase Fossum, who then tossed the ball back to Koessl as he ran by to the outside for 10 more yards into the end zone. New Hinsdale exchange student Valentin Robert from France kicked the PAT to give the Scotties a 15-0 lead.

To say the Scottie fans and players were thrilled would be an understatement.

In the second quarter, Thibault and Krumwiede connected once again, this time on a short pass across the middle, where Krumwiede took the ball to the outside and outran the Malta defenders for a 20 yd score.  Robert kicked the PAT to build Glasgow’s lead to 22-0.

To counter Malta’s strong run defense, the Scotties continued with their solid passing game. Thibault then threw to his other favorite receiver, 6-4 Chase Fossum, in the end zone for a 24-yard TD pass. Robert tconnected on the PAT to increase the lead to 29-0.

Glasgow’s defense continued to smother Malta’s offense and caused a fumble late in the second quarter by Jared Smith, which Krumwiede scooped up, ran again to the outside, broke a tackle, then raced 50 yards for Glasgow’s final TD.  The extra point by Robert was wide right and Glasgow’s lead was 35-0 – which in Montana High School Association rules starts the game clock running continuously (except for injuries or timeouts, as long as the 35 point margin remains).

The second half flew by quickly and with Glasgow’s sizable lead established, the Scotties used the opportunity to work on their running game. Glasgow also was able to utilize kicker Robert’s strong foot in the second half, as he connected on a 30-yard field goal to increase Glasgow’s lead to 38-0.

Malta’s lone score came in the fourth quarter on a 71-yard punt return by Allen Williamson. The 2-point conversion try failed after the TD to leave the final score at 38-6.

Glasgow’s defense played extremely well in only surrendering 66 total yards against the Mustangs offense. The defensive line and linebackers filled the gaps, stuffed the running backs and pressured the quarterback all night. The defensive line consists of ends Jared Smith and Krumwiede and tackles Luke Gunderson, an All-State player, and Harley Eliason.The linebacker corps is led by Tanner Roness with Lachlan Vaira, Dallas Capdeville and Jason Thibault. The secondary consists of cornerbacks Koessl and Ryan Grandchamp with safety Chase Fossum.

It should be noted that the Scotties defense has now held the last three opponents (Shelby, Harlem and Malta) scoreless for a total of 12 quarters.  The only points scored against the Scotties have been on a punt return, safety and fumble return.

Offensively, the Scotties racked up 286 yards on offense against Malta with 213 coming through the air and 73 on the ground.

Glasgow prepares this week for another 2B conference game against the Wolf Point Wolves here on Friday. We look forward to seeing all the Scottie fans once again, wearing red and cheering the players on.

Scottie Stats

Passing: Thibault 13-23, 213 yards, 3 TDs, 0 interceptions.

Rushing: Koessl 10-27, Thiabult 5-25, Roness 6-22, Krumwiede 3-(-1)

Receiving: Krumwiede 5-95, Fossum 3-68, Koessl 5-43.