MISSOULA — Defense has become the sturdy hook on which fifth-ranked Missoula Sentinel is hanging its helmet this season.
At least for now.
While the offense continues to smooth out rough spots and evolve, the Spartan defense has remained steadfast. On Friday, Sentinel held a Missoula Hellgate offense with dangerous weapons to a single first down in the first half on the way to a 28-7 win at Missoula County Stadium.
The Knights (1-3) were determined to end a string of losses to the Spartans (3-0) that dates back to 2012. Sentinel’s defense simply wouldn’t allow it.
“Time after time the defense had its back against the wall against a super talented-Hellgate team,” Sentinel coach Dane Oliver told 406 MT Sports. “They’ve got some great athletes on that team. Lot of respect for them. We’ve got a lot of numbers over them and their kids are taking a ton of snaps.
“Just shout-out to Hellgate and coach (Quinn) Chamberlain doing an unbelievable job. It made it tough on us and resiliency is the key word there for us. It will take you far in football and life.”
The key point came midway through the third quarter with the Spartans clinging to a 14-7 lead. Hellgate drove to the Sentinel 25-yard line before senior defensive back Cameron LeProwse slammed the door with an interception.
“I think it’s all about the hustle — there’s 11 hats on the ball each play and you get turnovers, you get picks, huge hits and everyone feeds off each other’s energy,” Sentinel middle linebacker Sam Sirmon said. “With that you can’t lose.
“I trust every single guy out there with me, and it makes me play better, makes them play better. Every game you stack on it.”
The Knights threatened again on their next possession and again were turned back in Sentinel territory. The Spartans, who scored on short runs by quarterback Rudy Hess and Tucker Laslovich in the first half, iced the game with fourth-quarter scores by Kaden Thennis on a 2-yard burst and Hess on a 28-yard scamper with 4 minutes left.
The Spartans have allowed just 31 points in three games. Actually 3 1/2 games if you count their opener at Belgrade, which was declared a no-contest because of weather after halftime with Sentinel leading, 7-0.
“We came out tonight, dished some punches out first and kept the trend going, just didn’t let up,” Sirmon said.
Statistically, the game was closer than the final tally. Hellgate totaled 247 yards, which was 94 fewer than Sentinel. But the Spartans were more effective running the football, with 208 yards to 107 for the Knights.
“Possessing the ball is important,” said Oliver, whose team racked up 20 first downs to nine for the hosts. “We started out the second half with two straight turnovers. We hadn’t done that all year. It can be messy at times but they’re finding ways to get it done, leaning on the big boys up front.”
Thennis stole the show offensively. He had a 38-yard halfback pass to Jayce Eby that kickstarted Sentinel’s offense in the first period. Later he had a 43-yard run that set up his team’s first of two fourth-quarter touchdowns. He capped that scoring drive with a highlight-reel run in which he leaped over a defender and then a 2-yard TD burst that was anything but ordinary since he had to pick the ball up off the turf before heading toward the end zone.
Thennis finished with a game-high 127 yards rushing on 20 carries. Hess had 65 yards on 21 totes and completed 10 of 12 passes for 95 yards. Eby had three catches for 80 yards.
Hellgate’s points came on a Parker Link 65-yard run up the middle early in the third period. Quarterback Vince Paffhausen was 14 for 30 passing for 140 yards with three interceptions.
“We’re finding the identity of this team and what I appreciate about these guys is they play together as a group and they battle,” Oliver said of the Spartans. “You get some adversity and they respond.
“We’re still not a well-polished machine by any means, but we’re finding ways to get it done on the scoreboard. It’s fun to be a part of.”
Bill Speltz is Missoulian sports editor. Contact him at bill.speltz@406mtsports.com or on Twitter @billspeltz
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