Lone Peak battles for big homecoming win

By Bella Butler EBS Editorial Assistant

On Friday, Oct. 7, the Lone Peak Big Horns took the field against the Shields Valley Rebels for homecoming, and their second night game of the season in Big Sky. The stands were filled with fans decorated in Big Horn blue, braving the cold fall weather to support the LPHS boys.

The game began with a few minutes of back and forth as the both teams struggled to make a big play. But halfway through the first quarter Brock Peterson of Shields Valley ran the ball in for the first touchdown of the game.

The Big Horns received the kickoff and wasted no time with the ball, as senior quarterback Eddie Starz completed a touchdown pass to junior Holden Samuels for 29 yards and the Big Horns’ converted on a two-point attempt. Lone Peak used the momentum to quickly stop Shields Valley in their next possession, following the good defensive work with another touchdown pass caught by junior Liam Germain for 36 yards.

With sophomore kicker Milosz Shipman out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, Holden Samuels came into kick the extra point, which was blocked.

With seconds left in the first quarter, Peterson displayed his speed again, dodging the Big Horn defenders and running the ball in for a second Rebel touchdown. With a successful two-point conversion, the game was tied 14-14.

The home team was fired up in the second quarter and senior Bridger Babcock was instrumental in the momentum shift that would send the Big Horns to victory.

Babcock began the quarter with a 46 yard run into the end zone, giving the Big Horns a 20-14 lead. On the next Rebels possession, he intercepted a pass and ran it back for another touchdown. He went on to lead the Big Horns with 129 rushing yards, as well as tackles with seven solo.

After another Lone Peak touchdown from a short run by Starz, Peterson intercepted a pass intended for Babcock and ran it in for a touchdown. The Rebels closed the gap to 32-20, but that is as close as they would come for the remainder of the game. The Big Horns’ defense found their stride and stopped Shields Valley from coming close to scoring again.

Starz and Babcock teamed up for another three touchdowns, and sophomore Sam Mueller finished off the game with his first touchdown of the season. Lone Peak celebrated their 62-20 homecoming win and sent the Rebels home with long faces.

The Big Horns are 4-3 in their first season as an eight-man team and on Saturday, Oct. 15, the boys challenge Absarokee for their senior game in Big Sky, to honor Bridger Babcock, Devin Quinn and Eddie Starz.

Lone Peak High School homecoming

Homecoming King Eddie Starz and Queen Bella Butler pose with junior homecoming Prince Zach Cone and Princess Julia Barton after the Oct. 7 Lone Peak football game. PHOTO COURTESY OF BELLA BUTLER

Ophir and Lone Peak cheerleaders rev up the crowd during the Big Horns’ homecoming football game. PHOTO BY BELLA BUTLER

Despite the cold, wet weather Big Horn fans came out to Big Sky Town Center in force Oct. 5 to watch the Lone Peak homecoming parade. PHOTO BY CARIE BIRKMEIER

PHOTO BY CARIE BIRKMEIER