Hot Springs nipped in 6-man playoff loss
CHUCK BANDEL | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year AGO
A couple years ago, another McAllister used to be called “rodeo tough” McAllister for his strong play and ability to mix it up.
That was Jack McAllister, who is now a rodeo calf roper.
This time the “rodeo tough” moniker could easily apply to Nick McAllister, the junior quarterback for Hot Springs’ six-player football team and younger brother of Jack.
And while the Savage Heat were bumped from this year’s 6-player post season quarterfinals by the visiting Harlowton-Ryegate-Judith Gap Engineers on Saturday afternoon in Hot Springs, the current version of McAllister did all he could and then some to prevent the loss.
Last week Hot Springs defended their home turf in the first round of the playoffs, defeating Valier 40-6 to advance to this past week's quarterfinals.
In the end, a speedy senior quarterback for the Engineers, Bergen Mysse, also had an outstanding game which turned out to be the edge in the tri-co-ops thrilling 65-60 win over Hot Springs on a cool, misty Fall day.
Mysse got Harlo on the board first when he found running back Joe Alvarez on a 12-yard scoring toss on a fourth and goal play, giving the Engineers a 6-0 lead. The PAT try was no good.
Then it was McAllister’s turn to light up the scoreboard and he did so in fine fashion when he connected with junior Johnny Waterbury on a 65-yard TD pass. The successful point after touchdown (PAT) kick, which is worth two points in six-player football, was good, putting the home team in front 8-6 with 6:07 remaining in the opening quarter.
The ensuing kickoff was short, giving Harlowton the ball on the Hot Springs 22 yard line. Two plays later, Mysse became a receiver and hauled in a 22-yard TD pass from back-up QB Gabe Dill, who kicked the PAT, giving the Engineers a 14-8 lead at the end of the first 10 minutes of play.
Harlo’s defense forced a Hot Springs punt, and on the Engineers’ next possession, Alvarez burst into the end zone from 11 yards out, upping the tri-co’s lead to 20-8.
That lead wouldn’t last long, as on the Savage Heat’s next possession, McAllister broke free down the left sideline on his way to a 40-yard touchdown jaunt. The PAT kick was good, and with 5:32 left in the first half, Harlowton’s lead was 20-16.
However, on the kickoff following the Hot Springs score, Mysse gathered the ball at the Engineers’ 15 yard line and raced 65 yard on a touchdown return sprint that, with a successful PAT kick, put Harlo up 28-16.
Hot Springs gathered it together quickly and mounted a drive that ended with McAllister scooting to pay dirt from five yards out. The PAT kick was blocked, leaving Harlo with a 28-22 lead with just over four minutes until halftime.
The Engineers took the kickoff and quickly moved downfield, capping a drive on a one-yard scoring plunge by Mysse. The kick was no good, but Harlowton increased their lead to 34-22 with 2:54 to play in the first half.
Then the damp, misty weather began to become a factor in the game. Harlowton forced a Hot Springs punt, but on the Engineers’ ensuing possession, they fumbled, giving Hot Springs the ball at the Harlowton 29 yard line.
This time Hot Springs moved to the opposition one yard line, where junior David Chapman plowed into the end zone with 14 seconds left in the half, pulling the Heat to within four, 34-30 at the intermission.
In the opening minutes of the third quarter, as the mist turned to a heavier rain, both teams fumbled back and forth, with Hot Springs eventually controlling the ball on the Harlowton 20 yard line.
McAllister then found senior Quincy Styles-Depoe with a 20-yard TD throw that, with a successful PAT kick by Styles-Depoe put Hot Springs ahead 38-34.
Fumble-itis continued to plague both teams, interrupted by a three yard TD run by Hot Springs junior Weston Slonaker. The kick was blocked, but at that point the home team held a 44-34 lead.
Then, on the visitor’s next possession, a slippery snap sailed over the head of the Harlo punter and out the back of the end zone, resulting in a two-point safety that boosted Hot Springs to a 46-34 lead heading into the final quarter.
In the opening minutes of quarter number four, Alvarez scored on a 26-yard pass from Mysse, pulling the visitors to within four at 46-42.
McAllister answered that score when he broke loose on another long TD run, this one from 57 yards out. Depoe’s kick was good and the Savage Heat lead was 54-42.
On the ensuing kickoff the Engineers’ Alvarez sliced through the Hot Springs kick return defense and rumbled 61 yards for a score. The kick try turned into a passing PAT when the slippery football was fumbled, and at that point Hot Springs clung to a 54-49 lead.
A short time later, Slonaker grabbed a 10-yard pass from McAllister and broke into the Harlo end zone, putting Hot Springs up 60-49 with 7 minutes left in the game.
Then disaster struck the Heat when Mysse hurled another touchdown pass, this one to Tyrus Hall, good for 41 yards and six points. Dill kicked the extra point and with 5:19 to go, the Engineers were within three points, 60-57.
Harlo’s defense held the Heat and got the ball back on downs on Hot Springs’ next turn with the ball.
They moved the ball downfield, capping the drive with a 20 yard touchdown pass from Dill to Hall, putting Harlowton in front, 65-60 with 1:45 remaining. Harlo’s defense then held Hot Springs one more time, got the ball back on downs and let the offense take a knee and run out the game clock, preserving the comeback win.
Mysse had an amazing game for the engineers, having a hand in six touchdowns, including the long kickoff return TD.
McAllister also had an excellent game, getting up from what appeared to be an injury at one point, and also having a hand in six touchdowns, including three rushing and three passing. He was 17-32 throwing the ball for 280 yards, and added 164 yards rushing on 15 carries.
The loss ended Hot Springs' season at 8-1. Harlowton moves on to a semi-final game this weekend versus Froid Lake.