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Horsemen register bittersweet win to end season

JOHN HAMILTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 10 months, 2 weeks AGO
by JOHN HAMILTON
| October 22, 2025 12:00 AM

Call it bittersweet, albeit a little on the sweet side.

Coach Mike Tatum and his Plains Horsemen wrapped up season play with a 44-18 win over the visiting Troy Trojans in Plains Friday. Scheduled to play at Seeley Lake against the unbeaten Seeley-Swan Blackhawks this Friday, that game, the last regular season tilt of the season, has been canceled, Tatum said.

That being said, the Horsemen went out on a high note with their win over the Trojans. Tatum said the first half was a back and forth affair but that the Horsemen took over after intermission.

“Like our past games this year, we played our best ball in the second half,” he said. “Despite Troy getting close a few times, we kept them scoreless after halftime, which is no small task.”

Tatum described Troy quarterback Carson Orr, as “a touchdown waiting to happen,” but that the Horsemen were able to harness Orr somewhat. “Once we settled down and played with instinct, the momentum started going our way.”

Tatum said “Cody West just gets more amazing as the season progresses,” citing his 255 all purpose yards with 155 of those receiving, with three touchdowns of 71, 40 and 44 yards, and 52 rushing off of two fake punts, adding “he would have had more, but a long one that resulted in a touchdown was called back.”

Defensively, West had three interceptions, including a 35 yard pick-six.

“The Siebert brothers had great games as well,” Tatum said. "Eddie threw for 236 yards with five touchdowns and an extra point, andJeff caught one of those for a 25 yard touchdown.”

Beau Crabb caught a pass for another touchdown and Kylan Bostick caught the conversion pass following that score.

Tatum said that as a team, Plains rushed for 112 yards between four players otherwise, displaying great balance.

Defensively, Matthew Thurston led the team in tackles again with 13, Greg Tatum had 11, Beau Crabb nine and Jeff Siebert seven with an interception he returned 20 yards.

Tatum said the bittersweet part of it all out loud. “I'm really going to miss the seniors, he said. “I've been coaching Beau Crabb and Kylan Bostick since sixth grade, and I've known Atlas Owens' family for some time. These three seniors were leaders, teammates, players and role models that will leave a big void, but lasting impressions that will leave the Horsemen football program in a better place.”

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