Red Devils thrash Lima in six-man

In six-man Montana High School football strategies, size is good but speed is hard to beat.

So it goes three games into the 2022 season in which to date the Noxon High Red Devils have displayed both attributes on their way to a 2-1 record.

After splitting the first two games, the Red Devils put together an impressive performance in Friday’s 44-6 thrashing of visiting Lima, a game that was for all intents and purposes in Noxon control from the opening minutes of play.

After being overrun last week by the multi-school conglomerate that is known as Geyser, the Red Devils returned to home cooking and wasted little time chowing down on the out-manned Bears.

Noxon got on the scoreboard first early on in the opening quarter when senior running back Johnny Kneer bullied his way into the end zone from two yards out, using his muscular frame to give the Devils a 6-0 lead. A successful point after touchdown (PAT) kick by Brian Risch made it 8-0 in favor of the junior and sophomore-laden home team.

After holding Lima on its first possession, the other of two Noxon seniors, Gage Hendrick broke free for a 68-yard TD run and the rout was on. The 14-0 lead would grow via the defense a short time later when the Red Devils trapped a Lima player in his own end zone for a safety and the two points it comes with.

The lead would grow to 24-0 in the remaining minutes of the opening quarter when promising sophomore wide-out Ricky Williams snared a scoring pass from Risch.

In the closing minutes of the first quarter, Lima scored what would be it’s only points of the game on a passing touchdown. Time ran out in quarter number one with Noxon holding a commanding 24-6 lead.

Noxon would neutralize that score in the second quarter when junior quarterback Shamus Wheeldon tossed a 23-yard scoring strike to Williams. A failed PAT attempt left the score at 30-6 Noxon, a tally that would hold up throughout the remainder of the first half.

Noxon’s speed took over again in the third quarter when Williams broke through the Lima defense and sprinted 35-yards for a touchdown and a 36-6 Noxon lead.

The Red Devils added another two points on their second safety of the game midway through the third quarter, then tacked on another touchdown via their running game when Knerr powered into the end zone from seven yards out to make it 44-6.

Neither team scored in the fourth quarter.

The win boosted Noxon to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play as the 2022 season heads into the heart of playing action. Lima fell to 1-2 and 0-1 with the loss.

Next up for the Red Devils is a long trek to West Yellowstone for a Saturday afternoon encounter with the Spartans.