MILES CITY, Mont. -- A Tyler Essex 4-yard run was all the difference for Custer County (Mont.) on Friday.
Essex's score late in the first quarter propelled the Cowboys to a 7-0 win over Dickinson High (1-1) in nonconference football action.
"You hold a team to seven points ... lot of times you're going to win those games," Dickinson coach Dave Michaelson said. "We just couldn't find enough offense."
Senior quarterback Connor McNeilly, in his second career start, finished 9 of 20 for 69 yards, throwing five interceptions.
"I wouldn't put them all on the quarterback," Michaelson said. "Some of the blocking and the routes, and some of the play calls. I'll take blame for that. We need to put (McNeilly) in situations where he can succeed."
ADVERTISEMENT
Both teams fought back and forth throughout the entire game and Custer County looked to go up by two TDs, but turned the ball over deep in its opponent's territory. Custer County held an edge in offensive yardage 287-225.
"We had the defense on the field way too much," Michaelson said.
For the second straight game, senior Calen Beaudoin topped the century mark, rushing for 101 yards on 20 carries.
"He was effective, at times," Michaelson said.
DHS 0 0 0 0 -- 0
CC 7 0 0 0 -- 7
CC-Tyler Essex 4 run (Trevor Luther kick)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
ADVERTISEMENT
RUSHING: D, Calen Beaudoin 20-101, Kevin Smith 3-18, Kaleb Hutchens 4-17. H, Shane Cooley 21-149, Essex 17-66, L. Johnson 11-17.
PASSING: D, Connor McNeilly 9-20-5 89. H, Cooley 2-8-1 55.
RECEIVING: D, Nate Moody 3-25, Lucas Lupo 2-23, Caleb Burgard 2-20, Smith 1-11. CC, Chris Kirkowski 1-42, Kyle Stanton 1-13.
