Glasgow Scotties Halt Harlem, 64-8

The Glasgow Scotties were back on home turf Friday night, Sept. 25, after a couple of long road trips. Hometown fans were not disappointed. Glasgow leapt out to an early lead over the visiting Harlem Wildcats, going on to a 64-8 victory. The Scotties improved their record to 3-0 in conference play, 5-0 overall, and 27-0 all-time against Harlem.

Harlem came into town at a serious disadvantage, fielding only 12 of their 15 rostered players against the third-ranked Glasgow Scotties, leaving the visitors with more coaches on the sidelines than players during game action. The Wildcats turned in a spirited appearance, not giving up throughout the four quarters of play, but were no match for the Scotties, who were able to go deep into their lineup after forcing a running clock in the first quarter.

Colten Fast started the action for Glasgow, picking off a pass on Harlem's first possession of the game, notching his fifth interception on the season. The Scotties made good use of their advantage, marching back down the field and sending Jesse Lee into the end zone on a one-yard rush. Lee would add the two-point conversion to give his team the 8-0 lead with 9:32 left in the first.

A botched return attempt by Harlem allowed Ruger Whitmore to recover the football, setting Glasgow up for another quick trip to the end zone. The hometown boys returned to the tried-and-true strategy of giving the ball to Lee, who did his part from five yards out. Quarterback Loden Idler would keep the pigskin to make good on the Scotties' conversion attempt. With 8:16 left in the first, Glasgow held the 16-0 lead over Harlem.

Not even 15 seconds later, the Scottie defense had the crowd on their feet and thundering approval. Defenseman Mayson Phipps scooped up a loose Wildcats ball and led a procession down the field, running 40 yards for a Scottie touchdown. Lee would add the two extra points, extending Glasgow's lead to 24-0 with 8:02 left in the opening quarter.

But the big defenseman wasn't done. With 6:29 to play in the first, Phipps would add his own two points to the scoreboard, sacking Wildcat QB Mikkel Rider to the safety. Less than 30 seconds later, Idler would keep the pigskin for a 24-yard run into the end zone before handing off the ball to Lee who ran it in for the two-point conversion. Glasgow's lead grew to 34-0, just one point shy of starting a running clock.

That running clock would start with less than two minutes left in the first quarter, after a Dawson Boland interception set the Scotties back in motion to the end zone. Kyler Hallock would set the clock in motion with a five-yard run touchdown. Without a successful two-point attempt, the scoreboard would read 40-0 through the end of the first.

Glasgow continued their ground game in the second quarter, but gave Lee a reprieve. Dalton Sand would step into the running back position, scoring a touchdown on a 10-yard carry and adding the extra two points as well, giving the Scotties a 48-0 lead with 7:13 left before halftime. With their commanding lead, Glasgow rotated in younger players, giving everyone on the roster time on the field.

Mason Donaldson relieved Idler as QB and used his time on the field to pass off to Tatum Hansen, who carried the ball five yards for a touchdown. A Donaldson pass to Jack Cornwell extended the Scotties lead to 56-0, which held for the remaining 1:53 of the first half.

After the half time break, the Wildcats would prove that despite the overwhelming odds against them they were not backing down. They powered through another quarter of play, finding their own end zone when Harlem QB Rider connected with Andrew Rassmusen on a 67-yard throw. John Hughes, Jr. would snag a catch to add the extra two points, making the game 56-8 with 30 seconds left in the third quarter.

Glasgow would answer in the fourth quarter when sophomore Ashton Potter would notch another Scottie interception. Back on offense, Glasgow's third quarterback Jordan Plummer would get the ball to Nik Burke, who carried it four yards into the end zone. Plummer would add the extra two points on a quarterback keeper up the middle. The 64-8 Glasgow lead would stand for the remainder of the game.

Harlem's Rider would lead in passing yards, racking up 165 to Idler's 57 yards, but Glasgow dominated on rushing yards. The home team would log 162 rushing yards, led by Lee's 83 yards on nine carries, to Harlem's 33 rushing yards. Wildcat Rassmusen led in receiving yards with 115 yards, including his 67-yard catch in the third.

Glasgow's defense, which contributed to scoring for the first time this season on Friday night, continues to be a dominant factor in the Scotties' wins. Defenseman Phipps said, "Our defense played really well and my favorite part was my scoop and score." Overall, the team this year has coalesced, coming together to dominate on both the defensive and offensive lines. "I am feeling very good about our season so far and I feel like we are working really good as a team," said senior Lee, who has led the team all season in rushing, "the team chemistry is definitely there."

The Scotties play at Scottie Field again this coming Friday, Oct. 2, for their much-anticipated Homecoming game against the Colstrip Colts. The festivities will start Friday at 2:30 p.m. with the Homecoming parade downtown. See the "Paint the Paper Plaid" page on 8B for a full schedule of homecoming events.

Lee is looking forward to this Friday's match-up. "...I just want to beat them. I've never beat Colstrip and every time we have played them it has been a heartbreak," he said. "So I am definitely ready to beat them on our home field in front of our home crowd."

The Scottie football game will begin at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on KLTZ and NFHS network. Scottie seniors will be honored prior to the beginning of play and the Norm Thompson Award for Outstanding Player of the Game will be presented after the game. The traditional "Senior Walk" and Dale Vegge Award are still planned for the final home game of the regular season, scheduled for Friday, Oct. 16, against the Wolf Point Wolves.