Tigers secure playoff spot with win over Troy

There was a playoff spot on the line for the St. Regis Tigers football team and they showed the wanted that spot at the expense of Troy.

The Tigers led from start to finish on their way to a convincing 58-21 win that secured the fourth seed from the Western B-8 player conference and a matchup with unbeaten Malta this weekend in the first round of the state playoffs in Malta. 

St. Regis used a smothering, aggressive defense and a balanced offensive attack, including a first-ever touchdown pass to an offensive lineman in rolling to their sixth victory of the season, good for fourth place in the conference. 

Sophomore quarterback Conner Lulis had an outstanding game and got the Tigers on the scoreboard first with a two-yard, drive-capping keeper up the middle.  St. Regis converted the two-point, running point(s) after touchdown (PAT) to take an early 8-0 lead. 

Later in the opening quarter sophomore Nathan Bohn latched onto a Troy punt and scooted 42 yards for a score that, with another successful PAT run, boosted their lead to 16-0. 

Then came an offensive lineman’s dream, a touchdown pass in the end zone that landed in the awaiting arms of 6-2, 275-pound sophomore Demore Hostetler, his first career touchdown catch.  The two-point PAT was good giving the Tigers a 24-0 first quarter lead and Hostetler a life-time story. 

Troy, which entered the game with a 1-7 conference record, struck twice in the first half of the second quarter, the first TD coming on a two-yard run that, with a two-point PAT, cut the Tigers’ lead to 24-8.  A short time later, the Trojans scored again, this time on a 32-yard quarterback keeper.  The PAT try failed, leaving St. Regis with a 24-14 advantage. 

St. Regis came right back on their next possession and scored the first of three unanswered touchdowns by Lulis, the first one from 12 yards out.  The PAT was good for two, making it 32-14 St. Regis. 

Lulis third touchdown run of the game was a five-yard run, followed a short time later by another drive-capping five-yard jaunt.  The PAT tries on the last two scores were no good, but at halftime the Tigers held a seemingly insurmountable 44-14 advantage. 

St. Regis added to its lead in the third quarter when running back Kaden Sanders crashed through the Troy defensive line on a two-yard scoring run that lifted the Tigers lead to 50-14.  The PAT was no good. 

Troy opened the final quarter with a one-yard TD run and a PAT kick (one point) that trimmed the St. Regis lead to 50-21.  Before time ran out in the fourth quarter, Lulis threw his second TD pass of the game, a 12-yard scoring strike to senior wideout Hunter Stolla.  The two-point PAT was good, giving St. Regis a 58-21 lead, which was the final score. 

Lulis had an outstanding game at QB, throwing two TD passes and running for three more.  He had 109 yards passing on 12-17 attempts and added 35 yards rushing on five carries. 

Junior Kelton Simkins led the Tigers, who had 166 yards rushing, with 46 yards on five carries, while junior Barrett Bessette had 42 yards on five carries. 

Stolla was the leading receiver for St. Regis, grabbing five passes for 63 yards and a touchdown. 

Defensively, Bessette topped St. Regis with 10 tackles, including two for loss.  Stolla contributed seven tackles.  Both players had one sack each. 

Coach Jesse Allan was pleased with his team’s performance. 

“We played one of our best games of the season on both sides of the ball,” Allan said, “Not perfect, but definitely something we can build off heading into the post-season.  Goal number one this season was to play in November.  I cannot say enough about the collective effort from these Tigers.  Week after week they continue to improve and compete for each other”. 

    St. Regis senior Hunter Stolla watches the ball fall into his hands during the Tigers' game against Troy Saturday afternoon in Troy. (Photo by Ashley Fauble)