Billings Central football came out swinging against Dawson County (Glendive). Their high-powered rushing attack, led by Senior Jack DeBourg, fueled Central’s 45-13 Week 1 victory.
Central started off strong from the opening, with a 26-yard run from RB/DB Ayden Salter to eventually set up a 3-yard rushing touchdown from DeBourg. On the next possession, junior quarterback Howie Martin connected with William Snell on a 38-yard deep pass to set up DeBourg’s second rushing touchdown of the game, Central leading 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Central kept their foot on the gas in the second quarter with a 14-yard touchdown run from Ayden Salter. Glendive was finally able to answer with a touchdown of their own, bringing the score to 21-6. To cap off the 1st half, Snell returned a kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown, bringing the score to 28-6 going into halftime.
Glendive scored another touchdown to open the second half, bringing the score to 28-13 and tightening the gap. However, Central was unmatched from here. Central scored halfway through quarter 3, with a 1-yard run from Salter. Martin connected with DeBourg early in the 4th on a 45-yard passing touchdown, bringing the score to 42-13. With a field goal kicked by Debourg on Central’s next possession, the final score was 45-13. Junior Blake Skillestad made a leaping interception to seal the game.
“I felt very good,” said defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Wayne Berry about the team’s performance as a whole, “We got a lot of good reps for a lot of players.”
Billings Central looks towards their next game, away in Havre. The Blue Ponies are one of Central’s biggest challenges this season, but the Rams are confident in their ability on the road.
