Horsemen hold off Trojans on homecoming night

When Atlas, the Greek mythological figure often shown holding the planet on his shoulders, carrying the weight of the world was probably not the only thing on his mind.

No doubt he was dreaming of a game called football in which offensive linemen who seldom get to carry the ball are called upon to tote the rock in a festive game called Homecoming.

Fast forward a few millennia to a place called Plains, Montana. 

Cue Atlas Owens, a lineman who no doubt has had the lineman’s dream of crashing over the goal line with football in hand, scoring a touchdown before adoring hometown fans. 

The mythology of the football realm became reality this past Friday night during Plains’ 47-24 Homecoming football win over the mythological Troy Trojans. 

There, on the playing fields of Plains, Horsemen o-lineman Atlas Owens, a 6-4, 240-pound junior experienced what Atlas of Greece could only dream...he got the rock and pounded it across the goal line from one yard out, his first touchdown ever as the Horsemen celebrated Homecoming. 

“We had a very complete game,” said Plains head coach Mike Tatum.  “We scored on the ground, in the air and with special teams”. 

And, he could have added, a lineman got the ball and scored. 

After a scoreless first quarter for both teams on a rainy and windy night, the scoreboard got into the game.  By halftime it read 21-12 in favor of Plains.   

Following air, land and special teams activity, the Horsemen expanded that lead to 32-18 after three quarters of play and went on to the 47-24 point win they sought to get back on the winning track. 

And as usual, they were led by senior quarterback Darren Standeford, who accounted for four passing touchdowns on 117 yards, added 36 yards rushing and converted a two-point after touchdown (PAT) try. 

Two of those touchdown tosses were gathered in by sophomore wide receiver Cody West, who also scored via a 57-yard kick return during the game, part of the Horsemen’s 137 return yards that produced a pair of touchdowns on the night.  The second kickoff return was by senior wide out Wyatt Butcher, who ran a kick back 65 yards for a TD following a Troy touchdown, a score coach Tatum credited with “getting our momentum going in the right direction”. 

As a team, the Horsemen piled up 134 yards rushing in their air, land and return attack. Senior Zayden Allen also had two TD catches, one for 29 yards and the other covering 27 yards. 

Also joining the scoring festival was Plains’ Spanish exchange student Jamie Martinez who kicked four PATs during the game.  Martinez was named Homecoming King during halftime ceremonies, joining Trotters multi-sport athlete Kali Tuma, who was chosen as Homecoming Queen. 

Plains also had a good night on defense against the outmanned Trojans, led by Butcher’s team-best 11 tackles.  West chipped in nine tackles and had an interception, while Standeford also picked off a Troy pass, which he returned for 15 yards.  Thirteen different players had at least one tackle for the home team in the victory, including one sack each by Allen and Shawn O’Keefe. 

The win boosted Plains to 2-3 on the year, and 2-3 in Western B conference play. 

Next up for the Horsemen is a crucial conference game in Missoula against league-leading Valley Christian, which remained unbeaten this past weekend after knocking off previously unbeaten Seeley-Swan.  The Plains-Valley Christian game is scheduled for this Saturday (Oct 12). 

    Plains junior Beau Crabb picks up some of the Horsemen's 134 rushing yards during their Homecoming win over Troy this past Friday night in Plains.  (Photo by Tracy Scott).