The worst thing about the football game between Gardiner and Noxon this past Saturday in West Yellowstone was that it had to end.

From start to finish, this was another arrow in the Noxon quiver of exciting games, even as this last-minute finish did not end in their favor as they lost to the Wolverines 48-45. 

It was another down to the last-minute game for the cardiac Red Devils this year. And the result was a three-way tie for the Western 6-player conference lead between Noxon, West Yellowstone and Lincoln, both of whom are 3-1 in league play. 

Noxon got on the scoreboard first against the Wolverines when senior Ricky Williams returned a punt 20 yards for a score in the early part of the first quarter.  The point after touchdown (PAT) try was no good, leaving the Red Devils with a 6-0 lead. 

The Red Devils defense stopped West Yellowstone on their drive after the Noxon kickoff, when they recovered a Wolverine fumble on the Noxon 12.  A few plays later, Noxon quarterback hooked up with Cameron Blair on what became a 68-yard touchdown pass and run.  The PAT kick attempt was no good, but the Red Devils assumed a 12-0 lead. 

West Yellowstone took the ensuing kickoff and completed a long pass that would have been a touchdown had not Williams chased down the receiver and tackled him at the Noxon seven. 

The Wolverines regrouped and scored on a seven-yard run on the next play, and then converted a two-point PAT kick to pull within four, 12-8. 

Then it was Noxon’s turn to march down the field following a kickoff.  The drive was capped by a three-yard touchdown pitch to Williams, making the score 18-8 Red Devils at the end of the first quarter. 

On the first drive of the second quarter, Noxon once again moved most of the length of the field before being stopped at the 10.  On a first and goal play, the Wolverines intercepted the ball at their own goal line and returned the ball 80 yards for a score, that with a successful two-point kick cut the Noxon lead to 18-16. 

Once again, Noxon moved downfield and this time regained the lead when Blair hauled in a nine-yard TD throw from Kayser.  Noxon cashed in a one-pint PAT pass and took a 25-16 lead. 

Noxon then tried an on-side kick, but it was recovered by West Yellowstone.  A long downfield pass moved the ball to the Noxon two, where the Wolverines scored on a two-yard touchdown run.  The PAT kick was blocked, but at that point Noxon held only a three-point lead, 25-22. 

A fumble by Noxon on the ensuing kickoff and some long passes by the Wolverines moved the ball to the Noxon five, where they scored on a five-yard pass play a few moments later.  The PAT was good, giving West Yellowstone a 30-25 lead. 

As it had been doing all game, West Yellowstone kicked a ground-hugging squibber that Noxon recovered on the Wolverines 36.  After one apparent TD run by Noxon was called back by penalty, Noxon’s Kayser hooked up with Owen Ramsey on a 16-yard scoring pass, putting Noxon up 31-30 at the half. 

Noxon opened the third quarter with a 37 TD pass from Kayser to Blair, putting the Red Devils back on top, 37-30 when the PAT attempt was blocked. 

Toward the end of the third quarter, a Wolverine runner broke at least four tackles on his way to a 33-yard touchdown run.  The PAT kick hit the left upright and was not good, leaving Noxon with a one-point, 37-36 lead. 

That score held throughout the third quarter.  In the early moments of the fourth quarter, West Yellowstone drove to the Noxon 14 where Williams intercepted a Wolverine pass at the goal line and returned it to the Noxon 22. 

Noxon later in that drive fumbled and the ball was recovered by West Yellowstone.  Noxon got the ball back but could not move the ball and punted.  West Yellowstone returned the punt 60 yards for a touchdown, giving them a 42-37 lead when the PAT failed. 

With time ticking away in the fourth quarter, a familiar theme for the Red Devils this year, Noxon drove downfield to the Wolverines 10.  Kayser then found Ian Brown with a 10-yard scoring strike.  This time the PAT kick was good, putting Noxon back in the lead 45-42 with time running out. 

West Yellowstone got the ball on the Noxon 31 following the kickoff.  With time running out, the Wolverines completed a 31-yard touchdown pass.  The PAT was no good, but with just a few ticks remaining on the clock, West Yellowstone took a 48-45 lead. 

That would be the final score. 

The loss was the first in conference play for Noxon, which is now 4-2 on the year.  Next on the schedule for the Red Devils is a bye.  They return to action Friday, October 18, when they will host West Yellowstone in a crucial conference contest.