Simms races past Fort Benton

FORT BENTON — The Simms High Tigers improved to 2-0 in the Northern C here Friday night with a 54-26 victory over the Fort Benton Longhorns.

It was a victory for both teams, actually. Fort Benton couldn’t field a team a year ago and is now back in the varsity football business. And that’s a win.

The first half was a sloppy one for both sides, as the Tigers and Longhorns combined for seven turnovers and 12 penalties.

Despite Simms’ self-inflicted wounds, it was able to bust off some big plays. All-state running back Jake Bloom scampered for a 30-yard score with six minutes to go in the first quarter to put the Tigers up 6-0 early.

Fort Benton mustered but one score in the opening half despite three lost fumbles by Simms. It came when starting tailback Jade Miller took the rock 16 yards up the right sideline into the end zone with seconds left in the first period following a muffed punt by Simms’ Erik Pschernig, which tied the game.

Simms answered back quickly however, as both the Tigers’ quarterback Rushton and Bloom ripped off long gains which set up a four-yard touchdown on a Rushton keeper to put the score at 14-6 Tigers.

The Tigers scored again on a Bloom rush up the middle for 17 yards, followed by a successful two-point try to make it 22-6 Simms at the half.

Simms cleaned up its mistakes in the second half, however, ripping off 32 second half points.

Bloom finished with 158 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Rushton had 136 yards rushing. For Fort Benton, Logan Taylor ran for 111 yards and Jade Miller added 92.

Fort Benton showed its heart despite the lopsided score, getting in the end zone on a sneak by QB Taylor and Miller’s 70-yard kickoff return in the fourth.