Football: Braves edge Big Sky on late TD
MISSOULA — Flathead quarterback Easton Johnson punched in the go-ahead touchdown with 20 seconds remaining and the Braves topped Missoula Big Sky 21-14 in a Class AA football game Friday.
Flathead (2-2) took over at its own 15-yard line after a Big Sky (0-4) punt with 2:02 to go and drove 85 yards for the game-winning score. Alex Croymans caught three passes on the drive, including a 19-yard reception that brought the Braves to the Big Sky 1-yard line.
“Hat’s off to Easton and the offensive line, and also Alex Croymans, who made some huge plays for us,” Flathead coach Russell McCarvel said. “We ran a little bubble, he caught it and made a couple moves to bring us inside the 1.”
Big Sky stopped Johnson for no gain on first-and-goal before calling a timeout. Johnson scored the game-winning touchdown one play later.
“In the huddle (offensive lineman) Axel Bladholm told Easton to ‘put your helmet on my back and get in the end zone’ and he did,” McCarvel said.
Croymans finished with 10 catches for 119 yards and Johnson completed 13 of 20 passes for 142 yards. Johnson was also Flathead’s leading rusher with 40 yards on 20 carries.
Big Sky struck first when running back Michael Banna scored from 6 yards out early in the second quarter, but Flathead answered on its ensuing drive when Johnson found tight end Cody Eacker for an 11-yard touchdown pass.
Flathead safety Jess Beaman gave the Braves a 14-7 lead when he intercepted Big Sky quarterback Jesson Preston and ran 61 yards for a touchdown with 2:26 remaining in the half.
Banna evened the score with his second touchdown run with 7:54 left in the fourth quarter.
“I thought we did a good job defensively of setting up third-and-long situations and getting stops,” McCarvel said. “We got a big stop on their last drive and were able to take over with right around two minutes to go.”
Banna finished with 122 rushing yards on 29 carries and the Eagles ran for 233 yards as a team, but Flathead largely shut down Big Sky’s passing game. Preston completed just 12 of his 26 pass attempts for 126 yards and was intercepted twice. Wide receiver Alex Mustard was held to 34 yards on five receptions.
Flathead returns home on Friday when it hosts Great Falls C.M. Russell for homecoming.
Flathead 0 14 0 7 — 21
Big Sky 0 7 0 7 — 14
Second Quarter
B – Michael Banna 6 run (Jesson Preston kick), 10:34
F – Cody Eacker 11 pass from Easton Johnson (Alex Croymans kick), 4:56
F – Jess Beaman 61 interception return (Croymans kick), 2:26
Fourth Quarter
B – Banna 1 run (Preston kick), 7:54
F – Johnson 1 run (Croymans kick), 0:20
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING – Flathead (31-74): Easton Johnson 20-40, Brad Larkins 9-37, Brady Galarza 2-(-3). Big Sky (48-233): Michael Banna 29-122, Jesson Preston 15-103, Ryan Glenn 3-11, Alex Mustard 1-(-3).
PASSING – Flathead: Johnson 13-20-1, 142 yards. Big Sky: Preston 12-26-2, 126 yards.
RECEIVING – Flathead: Alex Croymans 10-119, Dillon Thomas 2-12, Cody Eacker 1-11. Big Sky: Preston Stewart 4-47, Mustard 5-34, Bennett Chelini 2-20, Banna 1-15.
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Total Yards: Flathead 216, Big Sky 359.
3rd downs: Flathead 4-12, Big Sky 7-14.
Penalties: Flathead 3-15, Big Sky 8-76.
Turnovers: Flathead 1, Big Sky 2.