Seniors shine as Titans claim win over Mission

PHILIPSBURG – As a sophomore, Kade Cutler’s just as the Flint Creek quarterback is to run a a team that is laden with talent, experience and defending a state title. But given that he and his Titans were playing on Senior Night, it was clear that the young play caller knew exactly what to do.

Relay on his seniors.

Each of the four Titan seniors scored in the first half as Flint Creek earned a 68-24 win over Mission that elevated the locals to 8-0 on the year. The Bulldogs fall to 4-4.

The victory also moves the Titans into the record books of the MHSA. Going back to last year’s 12-0 season, Flint Creek has won 20 games in a row and is now tied for 20th in consecutive wins with Hysham.

It all started just over two minutes into the game when Cutler hit senior Colby Manley with an 11-yard scoring pass and an 8-0 lead.

But like Arlee a few weeks earlier, Mission was not going to just lay down and quit. They quickly battled back on their next series when Isaac Dumontier hit Flint McPhereson on a 24-yard scoring strike. They missed the conversion and trailed 8-6.

Those two scores set the tone for the rest of the first period. Flint Creek struck back with a two-yard run by senior Kane Hess to lead 16-6, but the Bulldogs bit right back with Layne Spiedel returning the Titan kickoff 65 yards for a score that left the margin 16-12.

Round three saw Flint Creek strike first again. Cutler threw the second of his four touchdown passes on the night, this time to senior Riley Allen. The three-yard toss into the end zone gave the Titans 10-point lead, 22-12.

Again the Bulldogs countered, this time with a 38-yard scoring run by McPhereson. For the third time Mission was unable to be successful on their conversion attempt and trailed 22-18.

Cutler closed out the period by completing the Titan Senior Bingo, hitting Luke Holland with a five-yard scoring pass that gave Flint Creek a 30-18 advantage.

As the second period opened and everyone caught their breath, the Bulldogs threw one last counter punch. Darwin Adams thossed a one-yard scoring pass to Jedi Christy that got Mission back within six at 30-24.

From there Flint Creek added four more scores through the remainder of the game. Cutler threw his final TD pass of the day, a 33-yard strike to Jaxon Lee and Manley chipped in a 12-yard interception return for a score. That gave the locals a 44-24 lead at halftime, during which the four Flint Creek seniors and teammate Nate Brashear (injured reserve) were all honored.

When play resumed, Manley added two more rushing scores and Cutler a third to reach the final margin.

The Titans will now turn their attention to the final game of the regular season in Victor. The Pirates fell to Arlee 56-14 Friday night, dropping them to 2-6. Should Flint Creek win that game they would earn the right to host their first-round playoff tilt in Drummond October 27.

SCORING

Mission (MI) – 18/6/0/0 - 24

Flint Creek (FC) – 30/14/16/8 – 68

First Quarter

8-0 – FC – Cutler 11-yard pass to Manley TD. Cutler Conversion Run.

8-6 – MI – Demontier 24-yard pass to McPhereson TD. Conversion failed.

16-6 – FC – Hess 2-yard run TD. Manley Conversion Run.

16-12 – MI – Spiedel 65-yard kickoff return TD. Conversion failed.

22-12 – FC – Cutler 3-yard pass to Allen TD. Conversion failed.

22-18 – MI – McPhereson 38-yard run TD. Conversion failed.

30-18 – FC – Cutler 5-yard pass to Holland TD. Cutler co0nversion run.

Second Quarter