Sports
Lone Peak football celebrates ‘Pierce Night’ with a six-touchdown win
Published
2 years agoon
Lone Peak would advance to playoffs with a win at Deer Lodge
By Jack Reaney STAFF WRITER
BIG SKY—In their final home game, the Big Horns set the tone by scoring 36 unanswered points against the Sheridan High School Panthers.
Junior quarterback Juliusz Shipman ran for a 65-yard touchdown on the first play of the game. Minutes later, he threw a 42-yard pass to freshman Ebe Grabow and senior Pierce Farr finished the effort with a two-yard rushing score. The Big Horn defense swarmed the Panthers, and Juliusz returned an interception for a touchdown. Junior George Helms returned a punt 38 yards, and then scored on a direct snap. In the second quarter, junior Bryce Houghteling caught a short pass near half field and leapt for the pylon to give the Big Horns a 36-0 lead.
“It was great that we could start fast, and get a score right away,” head coach Dustin Shipman said. “Our team really plays with a lot more confidence in themselves and their teammates when they have a little bit of a lead.”
Even with the excitement of a home win to keep Lone Peak High School in the playoff hunt, anyone at the game will tell you that senior Pierce Farr stole the show.
With the comfort of a five-possession cushion at halftime, the crowd shifted their focus to their linebacker, running back and only senior.
“And now folks, the man of the hour. No. 50, Pierce Farr,” Athletic Director John Hannahs announced over the PA system. With the rest of the team in the locker room, Pierce and his parents, Adam and Hannah, stood alone on the turf facing a boisterous home crowd.
“Pierce has been a varsity starter for all four years, and a defensive captain for three of those years for the Big Horns football team,” Hannahs said. “One thing he is especially proud of is being the original Big Horns water boy from third grade until high school.”
That tradition has carried on, as young boys continue to pace the sideline bringing water bottles to every huddle.
Hannahs said that Farr is a proud member of the honor society and senior vice president. He plans to attend Texas Christian University next fall, he loves to fish and hunt and he coaches flag football in Big Sky.
The crowd appreciated when Hannahs announced that Farr is a Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor “to his favorite future Big Horn, Russell.”
Hannahs’ voice trembled as he finished reading his statement.
“As somebody who has known Pierce since he was very small, I cannot tell you how much we will miss you, what a hard worker you are, and just how proud myself and the rest of the school district are of all your accomplishments.”
The crowd of students began chanting “Pierce! Pierce! Pierce!” as no. 50 turned to join his team in the locker room.
Farr scored his second rushing touchdown to begin the fourth quarter, and with a 44-6 lead, the Big Horns began to ease off the gas. Young and second-string players including junior quarterback Aidan Germain began to enter the game.
With three minutes remaining, Farr was relieved from the game. He walked slowly toward the home sideline as his classmates applauded and called for his attention.
“I was not disappointed leaving, with all these great fans here cheering me on,” Farr said. “It was pretty surreal. You only get it once. I remember how it felt when the seniors did it last year.”
“[Tonight] will probably be the highlight of my career,” Farr said. “It’s so much fun playing with these boys and coming out on top. That was probably the best three quarters of football our team has played. You can’t do better.”
After the game, coach Dustin Shipman spoke to Farr’s impact on the Big Horns.
“Well, it was Pierce’s night, right? I remember watching him in sixth grade and knowing he was going to make a big impact on this program when he got here. He’s really going to be missed. We’re happy that we were able to honor him with a win. His teammates really came together around him to play their best tonight.”
The Panthers scored twice in the final two minutes of play, calling timeouts, attempting onside kicks and taking shots downfield to extend the game another 15 minutes in real time. Most of the loyal home fans stuck around, at one point singing “Country Roads” as they waited to honor Farr and celebrate the Big Horns final home victory.
Finally, the Big Horns took victory formation to kneel and run out the clock and the fans moved to the sideline as the team celebrated their 44-21 win.
Thirty-five miles west, playoff fate was unfolding.
After Ennis High School’s narrow 44-38 victory over Cascade High School on Friday night, the Big Horns would join the playoffs if they beat Powell County High School when they travel to Deer Lodge next Friday.
“Deer Lodge certainly isn’t a team we want to overlook,” said coach Dustin Shipman, at that point still hoping for Ennis to beat Cascade. “We want to focus on taking care of business next Friday night.”
Farr said it was crucial to beat Sheridan, and he hopes the Deer Lodge game will be a transition into playoff football to finish his career.
“I can’t believe that I don’t have any more games here,” he said. “I’m still happy with this win, but these guys—I’ll be here for their senior night next year for sure to cheer them on.”
Upcoming Events
april, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
more
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
Sundays, April 14, 21 and 28, 2024
Noon until 6PM.
$170.
Time
14 (Sunday) 12:00 pm - 28 (Sunday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Come join us at Cowboy Coffee as we celebrate a fun night of drinks, games, and meeting others within the community. This event is from 6-8 and all are welcome
Event Details
Come join us at Cowboy Coffee as we celebrate a fun night of drinks, games, and meeting others within the community. This event is from 6-8 and all are welcome to come, if you don’t know who to bring come alone this is a great mixer event! This is an event hosted by Big Sky OUT as we work to provide queer safe spaces throughout the community.
Time
(Sunday) 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Cowboy Coffee
25 Town Center Ave. Big Sky, MT 59716