Sanders County Ledger - Your Best Source For Sanders County News

The Hot Springs football team is going into the playoffs with another win under their belts. The Savage Heat welcomed West Yellowstone for the last game of the regular season on Saturday, beating the Wolverines 65-22. It was the highest scoring output this season for Hot Springs, with 10 touchdowns, and quarterback Nick McAllister reached the 1,000-yard mark for passing.

"We had a lot of people sick this week but we were able to pull it together," senior Garth Parker said after the game. "We were executing and making plays and now we need to all work together to keep it going in the playoffs."

Hot Springs kicked off to West Yellowstone in the first possession of the game, but the Wolverines didn't keep the ball for long. The kickoff return was fumbled and picked up by Savage Heat David Chapman, who ran the ball back for a touchdown. The game was just 19 seconds in and Hot Springs led 6-0.

West Yellowstone was quick to answer when on fourth down, the team threw a long pass into the end zone for a score. Hot Springs turned their next possession into another touchdown with quarterback Nick McAllister throwing a long pass to Quincy Styles-Depoe. Hot Springs would push their lead as Weston Slonaker found the end zone on a big run, then was back in the end zone for the extra point, and then Styles-Depoe caught another scoring pass. Hot Springs led 26-6 as the second quarter started.

Lawson said Chapman had a great game and noted that his team has shown a lot of improvement this year. "We've improved a lot from the beginning of the year. It's been fun to watch."

The second quarter was much like the first for the Savage Heat as in their first two possessions, senior Garth Parker ran the ball in for two scores. West Yellowstone was able to score on a pass and a run. With less than two minutes left in the half, Slonaker caught a pass from McAllister and Parker ran in the extra point to put Hot Springs up 46-22, but the Savage Heat weren't ready to back off. When Hot Springs got the ball back with 25 seconds left in the half, McAllister connected with Johnny Waterbury in the end zone and the Savage Heat went into the locker room with a 30-points advantage, 52-22.

Annie Wooden

Hot Springs senior Garth Parker runs in for a touchdown against West Yellowstone.

The start of the second half was a replay for the Savage Heat as Chapman returned the kickoff nearly 70 yards for a touchdown. As West Yellowstone got the ball, Parker forced the Wolverines to fumble and Jody Page recovered the ball. Hot Springs capitalized on the turnover and Slonaker scored another rushing touchdown as CalvinTimmer caught a pass for the extra point, putting the Savage Heat up 65-22.

Going into the final quarter, West Yellowstone recovered a Hot Springs fumble but the Hot Springs defense held the Wolverines and got the ball back. With the clock winding down and a win secured, Hot Springs had one last impressive moment up their sleeve. On fourth down, the Wolverines faked a punt and threw the ball down field, but Waterbury intercepted the pass to give the ball back to the home team for the final minute of the game.

The Savage Heat will host the first round of the 6-man playoffs this Saturday as they welcome Chester to Hot Springs. Coach Lawson said the Central division of the state is tough and they are expecting a competitive game. "It should be a good game and fun football to watch," he said. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.