NOXON - With a playoff berth possibly on the line, the Noxon Red Devils showed up to play Friday, coming up with a key 38-6 win over the Hot Springs Savage Heat at Jenny Lampshire Memorial Field in Noxon.

The win over their Sanders County rivals, the first over Hot Springs anyone in Noxon can remember, improves the Red Devils’ season mark to 4-2 overall and 3-1 in conference play, and greatly increases the likelihood of a spot in the playoffs for coach Lucas MacArthur and his boys.

“History was made,” MacArthur said. “We had never beaten Hot Springs before. We know that they are down in numbers this year but you can never take anything for granted against a team like that. We know they are extremely well-coached and knew we would have to play well to win.”

Coached by Jim Lawson, who has guided Hot Springs to two State 6-Man titles and deep into the playoffs numerous other times, the Savage Heat seemed to run out of steam against the fired-up Devils Friday. After the game, Hot Springs officials are left trying to decide whether to play any more games this season due to perilously low player numbers (see other story).

Conversely, it was a feel-good win for the Devils, who ended up taking the opportunity to get a bunch of players in the game to gain experience by the time it was over. “We felt bad for Hot Springs, wish they had a few more players,” MacArthur said. "But it was a good game for us, we played well and got our younger kids in for some much-need reps.”

The Red Devils got on the scoreboard first, using a punishing running attack on their first scoring drive, striking paydirt on a bruising 14 yard run by fullback Cam Wengerd with 6:33 left in the first quarter to take a 6-0 lead.

In the second quarter, speedy Devil quarterback Justice Kayser scored the second touchdown of the game on another 14-yard run to make it 12-0 and, later on, found halfback Payton Chambers with a 23-yard touchdown pass to extend the Noxon lead to 18-0 by halftime.

Wengerd scored another touchdown on a two-yard run and Chambers scored again on an 18-yard run in the third quarter. Shane Hatchel booted the two-point conversion after Chambers’ TD to make the score 32-0 heading into the fourth quarter.

Midway through the fourth period, Eli Sly scored on a short tun to put the Devils up 38-0. Hot Springs finally reached the end zone after that but it was too little too late for the Savage Heat this time.

MacArthur and the Red Devils have two regular season games remaining, visiting Alberton this Friday and hosting powerful Lincoln October 24. The Devils will be heavy favorites against Alberton and look to slow down the Lynx, who have been ranked among the state’s topt tem 6-Man teams most of the season.

“We cannot look past Alberton, upsets are a real thing and we don’t want one happening to us,” he said. “And we beat Lincoln last year, so I’m sure they will be ready for us in that game.”

    SAVAGE HEAT SENIOR Samson Jakabosky scored Hot Springs’ touchdown in Noxon’s 38-6 win over the Heat in Noxon Friday. (John Hamilton/vp-mi)
  

    CRAZY LEGS – Noxon senior Justice Kayser, the Red Devils’ quarterback, scrambles during Friday’s game with Hot Springs. (John Hamilton/vp-mi)