After the first round of the football playoffs, only one of three Sanders and Mineral counties schools will be moving on.

Hot Springs advanced to the next level of the six-player playoffs with a big win over Custer-Hysham-Melstone, 78-51, this past Saturday in Hysham. 

As a reward for their victory over the Rebels, Hot Springs will be at home this coming Saturday (Nov 9) at 1 pm against 7-3 Highwood, an unincorporated population area east of Great Falls.  The Mountaineers advanced via their 52-0 victory over Bainville this past Saturday. 

The winner of the Hot Springs-Highwood game will play the winner of the game between Box Elder and Denton-Geyser in the state 6-player semi-finals. 

The two teams have played two common opponents during the season, with Highwood defeating White Sulphur Springs and losing to Denton-Geyser.  Hot Springs lost their season opener to Denton-Geyser 22-15 on a last-minute touchdown.  Hot Springs beat White Sulphur 59-0 at mid-season. 

Thompson Falls, meanwhile, lost to Malta 45-8 in the opening round of the B, 11-player tournament in Malta.  The Mustangs improved to 10-0 with the win and will take on Three Forks in the quarterfinals this coming Saturday. 

Three other schools from the West Division, Eureka, Florence and Loyola won their opening round games to move on to the semis. 

In Class B, 8-player post-season play, the two-county area’s only entrant, St. Regis, fell to unbeaten Belt, the number one seed from the North division, 57-6.  St. Ignatius, also from the West, lost their opener to Fort Benton.