Lone Peak notches first 8-man win

Story and photos by Bella Butler EBS Editorial Assistant

Lone Peak’s Zach Cone makes a tackle during a dominant defensive performance by the Big Horns.

BIG SKY – The Lone Peak High School Big Horns took on the Broadview/Lavina Pirates from Yellowstone County on Sept. 9, winning their first eight-man football game in program history 65-6. With Andrew Mendoza and Liam Germain sidelined with concussions and unable to play, the home team won despite being down to 13 players.

The Pirates began the game with a kickoff into the end zone, forcing the Big Horns to start on the 15-yard line after the touchback. Lone Peak showed some early struggles after fumbling the ball and giving up an easy six points as the Pirates ran it into the end zone. The pace of the game changed within one minute, however, as senior quarterback Eddie Starz completed a pass to junior wide receiver Howie Robin for 56 yards, resulting in a touchdown for the Big Horns.

Sophomore kicker Milosz Shipman scored the extra point for Lone Peak, giving the Big Horns their first lead of the season at 7-6. The first quarter ended after an interception by Starz, who ran the ball in for another touchdown.

For the next three quarters, Lone Peak dominated the Pirates. In the second quarter, the Pirates reached the 5-yard line for a first and goal, but they failed to get through the Big Horn’s relentless defense, which stopped them from scoring the rest of the game.

Junior receiver Howie Robin races for a 78-yard touchdown in Big Sky.

After additional Lone Peak touchdowns by Starz, Rhett Leuzinger and Bridger Babcock, junior Holden Samuels took Starz’s place as quarterback and ran the ball in for another six points. The Big Horns finished with three interceptions, 365 yards of total offense, and their first victory as an eight-man team. Big Horn statistical leaders were Samuels with seven tackles and Starz with 119 rushing yards and six total touchdowns.

Lone Peak takes the field against the Gardiner Bruins in Big Sky on Saturday, Sept. 17, at 1 p.m., and then travels to take on the Tri-City Titans in Hobson on Friday, Sept. 23.