The ball pierced the heavy curtain of falling snow and found its target in the open arms of a Horseman receiver who had just crossed into the end zone as the scoreboard clock clicked to a series of zeros and one six.

After nearly two hours of scoreless back and forth during what turned out to be the heaviest snowfall of the 2020 virus-plagued season, the Horsemen players joyously celebrated a season-ending 6-0 victory over Seeley-Swan on the snow-covered Plains field of play.

A game that will be long remembered in Plains football lore concluded a season that many would like to forget, pandemic and all.

That victory would give way to major changes in the Plains football program, including the loss of long-time coach Eddie Fultz, who left to take the reins of Ronan football.

It would open the door for new coach Ryan Hart, a rookie to the coaching ranks after a high school playing career in Shelby.

It also marked the final game for several Horseman seniors, leaving this year’s team without a single returning starter.

And yet, hope is in the air as the team and its first year head coach get ready to host Superior Friday at 7 p.m. They will then hit the road the following Friday, Sept. 3, for a rematch of the “snow bowl” game with Seeley on the Blackhawks home field.

Gone from last year’s Horsemen's quad is Tristan Subatch, the quarterback who threw the legendary pass and then transferred to Sanders County rival Thompson Falls in time for last year’s high school basketball season.

The Horsemen will also be without the services of bruising running back/linebacker Tucker Foster, speedy running back Gavin Regalado and a pair of wideouts, Gabe Gamboa and Clayton Hill, all gone via graduation.

In their place, coach Hart will have a young team boosted by an influx of sophomores and freshmen, part of the 20 players who turned out to compete for playing time on this year’s team.

“We are young for sure,” Hart said. “All of the starters from last year are gone but we have some good players coming back.”

Among the returning players who will be counted on to guide the 2021 Horsemen are junior quarterback/safety Mason Elliot, Jr., and Garth Parker, a large tight end/defensive end who will play a key role in the success of the offensive and defensive lines. Parker is also a junior.

Coach Hart and crew will also be counting on overall team speed to help the team achieve its goal of a winning season.

“We have good team speed, athleticism and size on the lines,” Hart said. “We are shooting for a winning season.”

To achieve that goal, the new coach and staff will also be counting on a team that gels quickly into a cohesive unit. An example of that way of thinking stood out at a recent practice when a teammate who lagged behind in running laps on the field was joined by the entire team, which ran with the straggler and encouraged him to keep going and working hard.

Plains is also hoping a pair of sophomores, Denny Black, a two-way lineman, and Drew Carey a quick wide receiver/center can come in and contribute from the opening kickoff.

Last year’s team finished with a 3-4 record and missed the first round of the Montana 8-man playoffs. They opened last season with a 44-0 route of Troy.