SPORTS

Five takeways from Capital-CMR

Steve Schreck
sschreck@greatfallstribune.com

Five Takeaways from Helena Capital’s 20-17 win over C.M. Russell High on Friday night.

1. No loss is ever easy. But three of the Rustlers’ four defeats this season have been particularly gut-wrenching. That trio of losses – to Billings West, Butte and Capital – has totaled 11 points.

2. The Bruins, technically, hadn’t won a game this season before Friday, their sole victory coming in a forfeit against Missoula Hellgate. But Capital’s four losses were to the top echelon of the AA, and Friday night’s win keeps them alive for a playoff berth. If it’s up to Seth Schneider, the team’s tailback, he will get them there.

3. The CMR defense was solid all night, bending but not breaking. Two blocked punts put the Capital offense on the CMR 8- and 29-yard lines in the fourth quarter, which turned into 10 points and proved to be too much to overcome.

4. Chase Linn and Tucker Greenwell both notched impressive interceptions. Linn’s came in the first half when he dove in front of Carter Pappas’ intended target. Greenwell’s was with four minutes left, another athletic play that had the makings of a game-clincher. But then CMR went three-and-out and the punt was blocked, setting up the game-winning touchdown by Schneider.

5. The CMR offense gained only 227 yards Friday. Quarterback Lane Jensen was 11 for 29 for 164 yards and a touchdown. The running game amounted just 63 yards. Three and outs have plagued the Rustlers in recent weeks, and it’s hurting their defense, who aren’t getting ample rest on the sideline because of it.

Helena Capital spoils CMR's homecoming