Young Team Shines with 7-2 Record

Seeley Lake Elementary flag football team wrapped up the season with a 7-2 record. Both losses came from Superior. Head Coach Andy Sieges was proud of all the young team learned. The two graduating eighth-graders, Dakota Wood and Caleb Maughan, were happy with the season.

Sieges said the first game the team played they lost to Superior 2-28. "It should have been a lot uglier with an ending score of 2-42."

When they took to the field against Superior later in the season, they held the lead until the last three minutes. In the end, the Eagles only lost by four points.

"It really showed how far we had come as a team," said Sieges. "It was a unique experience for the team to be a part of that atmosphere [during a close game]."

Wood said it was hard losing the first game after going undefeated the last two years. "The second game [against] Superior we worked really hard and it was a good game."

Maughan felt the team played better in their second game against Superior because they were more organized and had memorized the plays.

"I really pushed the idea that we are a family and we are in it together. We win together," said Sieges.

Sieges said that Beau Sloan was the only returning starter this year. He said Sloan anchored the line and had a lot of power.

Sieges also highlighted Maughan's abilities as a safety and how he learned to play downfield. Although official stats were not kept, Sieges believes Maughan had three or four interceptions with one that he turned into a touchdown.

This was Maughan's first year playing offense. Although he enjoying playing running back and wide receiver on offense and was a safety for defense, he thought defense was the most fun.

"I got a lot of interceptions and pulled a lot of flags," said Maughan.

Sieges said that Wood and seventh-grader Owen Mercado were a great combination for the offense. He added their ability to move the ball downfield and be able to play different positions was a huge asset to the team this year.

Wood played quarterback most of the season until the last two games, when he switched to running back and Mercado stepped into quarterback.

"I liked changing positions," said Wood who played running back in the fifth grade. "You get the ball more and there was a lot of pressure being the quarterback."

"This group of kids has a lot of athleticism and I could change them out and put them into different positions," said Sieges. "It's not about the spotlight; it's about being a team player."

Maughan and Wood both agreed that they missed their long-time coach John Devins and it was a big change with Sieges taking over.

"Coach Sieges was a good coach," said Maughan. "He was fair and worked us hard."

Wood thought learning the different drills was a difficult change between the two coaches but said that he worked on the drills during physical education class so they were not so difficult.

"I wanted to teach them that they still need to play aggressively," said Sieges. "Yes, there are things they can't do [in flag football] but they still have to have the mindset. The team bought into my intensity as a coach."

Both Wood and Maughan are planning on playing for the Blackhawks next year. They are looking forward to tackling the most.

"I'm really impressed with the fact that our record is 26-2 for the last three years," said Sieges. "We graduated two eighth-graders and I have four spots to fill next year. I keep asking the kids who is going to train hardest to fill those positions."

Versus Hellgate Hawks

The Eagles faced the Hellgate Hawks for their final home game of the season, Tuesday, Oct. 13. Owen Mercado stepped up to play quarterback for the first time of the season, while Dakota Wood switched to running back.

Mercado was the first to put points on the board for the Eagles late in the first quarter. He made the touchdown and was quick to return to the end zone for the two-point conversion.

The Hawks scored midway through the second quarter. Eagle Isaac Morse intercepted their conversion attempt bringing the score to 8-6 at half time.

In the last two minutes of the third quarter, Mercado again scored for the Eagles running the ball all the way from the 30-yard line bringing the score to 14-6 at the end of the third quarter.

The Hawks again scored mid-way through the fourth quarter but were again unable to complete their conversion.

With four minutes left on the clock, Wood scored and was followed up with the two-point conversation scored by Mercado.

Eagle Kayden Kimmel intercepted the first pass thrown by the Hawks putting the Eagles back in control of the ball. Wood was again able to run the length of the field sealing the Eagles lead 28-12 with three minutes left on the clock.

While the Hawks were able to make one more run, they were not able to catch the Eagles who won, 28-18.

Versus Philipsburg

Their final game the Eagles traveled to Philipsburg, Mont. Mercado was again in as quarterback and threw nearly a 25-yard pass to Kimmel who put the first points on the board for the Eagles.

Philipsburg quickly responded with two touchdowns of their own, leaving the Eagles behind 6-14 at the half.

"Mr. Sieges pumped us up at the half," said Wood. The Eagles returned ready to play and finished the game with another win, 22-14.