Fairview Warrior Football Bests Arlee 70-28 in Playoff Match Up

The Fairview Warrior football team travelled to Arlee to face another Warrior team in the quarterfinal round of the state playoffs. The #1 seed from the East jumped out to an early lead with Jaxon Vitt returning the opening kickoff 64 yards for a touchdown against the #1 seed from the West. Fairview's defense stopped Arlee on their first possession and followed with a one-play 26-yard touchdown run by Wyatt McPherson. Arlee countered with a 46-yard touchdown pass cutting the lead to 16-8 but the Warriors from Fairview ripped the momentum back when Tyler Loan returned the kickoff 61-yards for a touchdown. The first quarter came to an end with Fairview up 22-8 and only running one offensive play. The second quarter saw Fairview pour it on with three more touchdowns. Deacon Gackle caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Loan, McPherson ran a 9-yard touchdown, and Loan followed with a 9-yard touchdown of his own. The defense was their usually strong selves allowing just one touchdown bringing the halftime score to a staggering 46-14 advantage for the #1 seed from the East. 2 more scores in the third quarter, a 1-yard rush by Brock Schlothauer and a 2-yard rush by Keegan Skogas ensured a running clock for the rest of the game. McPherson, on his birthday, capped the scoring with a 4-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter making the final score 70-28. Loan and Gackle each had an interception in the game and the defense held the vaunted rushing attack from Arlee with their 6'2 230 pound running back to under 3-yards a carry.

Fairview will host the #2 seed from the North, Fort Benton, in the state semi-finals on Saturday at 1 p.m.