Titans lock down second win against Powell County

DEER LODGE – It was pretty much what everyone thought it would be as the Flint Creek Titans scored six first-quarter touchdowns on their way to as 64-8 win over the Wardens of Powell County Friday night in Deer Lodge.

Powell County (0-2) is in a rebuilding phase as they try their hand at 8-man football at the varsity level for the first time. The Wardens had played a JV schedule for the two seasons prior to 2022.

As a polar opposite, the Titans (2-0) have been the most successful 8-man program since their inception in 2014, claiming three titles over the past five seasons and a runner-up finish in 2021.

So when Flint creek rattled off six different scores in the first 7:30 of the contest, it was almost no surprise to those in attendance. It started with quarterback Andrew Tallon connecting with Colt Parsons on a 33-yard scoring play and an 8-0 lead. 90 seconds later it was defensive lineman Ben Bradshaw tearing through the line and dropping a Warden runner in the end zone for a safety. The first play after the ensuing punt saw Tyler Burden explode for a 50-yard scoring run.

90 seconds after that, Logan Hauptman intercepted an Ashton Colemanas pass and return it 13 yards for a score. Tallon waited about two minutes before returning a punt 53 yards for a score and Parsons closed out the first quarter scoring by returning a fumble recovery nine yards for a TD.

Burden and Hauptman added scoring run in the second to make the halftime score 58-0.

The Wardens got their first score of the season when Shawn Lombardi scampered around the right side for seven yards and a score. Coleman hit Kaiden Beck with the two-point pass to make it 58-8 as the period ended.

Flint Creek closed out the scoring in the fourth when Michael James ran the ball in from 23 yards out.

“You never really know what you’re going to get until you get out here,” said Titan Head Coach Jason Ostler in retrospect. “They’ve got a couple of good football players who are young. That #10 (Lombardi) is gonna be a great football player.

When asked what his goals were for the reserve players that saw most of the game time Friday night, Ostler explained, “I want to see those young kids that get in there and don’t get all the varsity reps, I want to see them compete even if they screw up. I want to see them go hard and getting after it, no matter what they’re doing.”

The win puts Flint Creek into an early tie for first place in the Southern Conference with Ennis at 2-0. The Mustangs manhandled Seeley Swan Friday night 64-12. Cascade is in third at 1-0, while the Blackhawks are in a three-way tie for third with Simms and Choteau. Lone Peak is 0-1 while Sheridan and Powell County bring up the rear at 0-2.

The Titans will host Lone Peak September 9th in Philipsburg with kickoff set for 7 p.m.

SCORING

Flint Creek – 42/16/0/8 – 64

Powell County – 0/0/8/0 – 8

FIRST QUARTER

10:35 FC Tallon 33 yd pass to Parsons TD. Burden run.

9:08 FC Safety BeBradshaw.

8:49 FC Burden 50 yd run TD. Tallon to Phillips pass.

7:18 FC Hauptman interception and 13 yd return TD. Tallon run.

5:20 FC Tallon 53 yd punt return TD. Tallon Run.

4:30 FC Parsons fumble recovery and 9 yd return TD. Tallon to Parsons pass.

SECOND QUARTER