It was a fun bunch to coach and we did some good things this season.”

Coach Shawn Burkart

BIG PINEY – The Southeast High School Cyclones came within two points of overcoming the Big Piney Punchers in the physical first half of the 1A 9-man quarterfinal game in Big Piney on Saturday, November 1. 

Unfortunately, Big Piney went on to outscore Southeast, 8-0, in the second half to post a 24-14 win and Southeast’s season came to an early end.

Southeast battled cold temperatures and a gray skies in addition to a tough opponent, playing on a field recently cleared of snow and surrounded by high drifts.

Southeast also dealt with nagging injuries in the final week of the season.

“(Senior quarterback) Ayden Desmond played solid coming back from a knee injury last week,” coach Shawn Burkart said. “He was limited in practice until Thursday. Our backup quarterback injured his shoulder in practice on Tuesday.”

Southeast rounded out the season with a 5-4 overall record and a 3-3 conference record.

“We lose a big senior class, so we will need to reload with younger kids next year,” Burkart added. “Tackling was our biggest issue during the year and once again in the playoff game. It was a fun bunch to coach and we did some good things this season. We fell short in our team goals for the year, but hopefully we learned some good life lessons that the boys will carry with them beyond football.”

A tale of two halves

Big Piney opened the game with a touchdown on its first possession. Two extra points placed the Punchers up, 8-0.

The Southeast defense closed ranks on Big Piney’s second drive of the first quarter, including tackles by seniors William Knowlton and Carter Blevins. Blevins forced Big Piney to fumble the ball.

Gaining possession, Blevins took the handoff from Desmond, charged up the middle, broke tackle and sprinted 40 yards into the end zone for Southeast touchdown No. 1.

The Cyclones were unable to convert extra points and the scoreboard favored Big Piney by two points, 8-6.

Big Piney scored again on its first drive of the second quarter and with two extra points, widened its lead, 16-6.

Southeast responded with a long, coordinated drive on its ensuing possession. Blevins and sophomore T.J. Moats drove the ball to Big Piney’s two-yard line over the course of 10 carries.

Desmond kept the ball on the final play and dove into the end zone for Southeast touchdown No. 2. Desmond drove the ball in again for the PAT-2 and Southeast whittled Big Piney’s lead back down to two points, 16-14.

A solid Southeast defense shut out Big Piney on the Punchers’ final drive of the first half, including pass coverage from senior Ayden Shimic.

The teams headed for the locker room with Big Piney up, 16-14.

Big Piney reached the end zone on its opening possession in the third quarter, placing the Punchers ahead, 24-14.

The Cyclones commenced another long drive on the subsequent possession, including several long passes between Desmond and Shimic. Southeast ultimately came up against a wall of Puncher defenders early in the fourth quarter and turned over possession.

The Southeast defense prevented Big Piney from scoring on the Punchers’ ensuing drive, including tackles by junior Liam Haas, Desmond, Moats, Knowlton and a sack for loss by freshman Turek Thompson.

Southeast tallied 187 yards rushing, led by Blevins with 130 yards on 20 carries. Desmond kept the ball for 41 yards on eight carries. Moats tallied 16 yards on five carries.

Desmond completed 10 passes for 114 yards. Shimic caught five passes for 79 yards and Moats found himself on the receiving end for four passes and 28 yards.

On defense, Desmond tallied 17 tackles, senior Alec DeMarce 11, Haas nine with eight apiece from junior Chase Sauer and Knowlton. Knowlton and Thompson both posted one tackle for loss. Knowlton broke up one pass and Blevins forced one fumble.