Loggers prepare for dogfight in semi-final battle in Billings Saturday

A packed Loggers stadium watched Libby come from behind in the second half to overtake the Sidney Eagles 47-26, clinching the Class A Quarterfinal victory.

Jeremy Chumley, who made five touchdowns in the second half, led his team to victory over the Eastern A No. 3 seed Eagles and a place in this Saturday's semifinal battle against the undefeated Eastern A Billings Central in Billings.

Sidney scored first 9 minutes into the game with a 10-yard pass to junior Jordan Abelseth.

"They're very well coached," Loggers Coach Neil Fuller said of the Eagles, adding they were mixing up their plays and keeping the Loggers off-guard.

Less than a minute later, junior Joel Fuller threw a 51-yard pass into the hands of senior Seth Wright, who ran the last few yards into the end zone amidst a roaring crowd, tying the game.

With two minutes left in the first quarter, Jeremy Chumley ran the ball a whopping 61 yards for a touchdown, his first of six touchdowns in the game, giving the Loggers their first lead in the game, 13-7.

The Eagles dominated the second quarter with two touchdowns, also missing one of their extra points to lead at the end of the first half, 13-20.

"We were having a heck of a time stopping them," said Coach Fuller. "Our defense stepped up enough in the second half and our offense did the rest."

The team returned to the field after a locker room speech.

"He knew that we could do better," said Chumley of Coach Fuller. "He and Mr. Rowan (assistant coach) were doing a lot of yelling in the locker room. At first it was mad and then it was to get us pumped up. We got inspired and came out in the second half."

The speech definitely worked for Chumley, who scored three more touchdowns in the third quarter, rushing a total of 218 out of the team's 296 yards.

Joel Fuller also contributed to the team's rushing with 32 yards, along with a 29-yard carry by sophomore TJ Benson.

Chumley was helped every step of his way with astounding blocking by his teammates, including senior Josh Chumley, senior Zack Rowan, junior Justin Brickey, senior Matt Schad, senior Ryan Stapley and senior Jordan Gragert.

"I couldn't have done what I did without my line always there where it counts," said Jeremy Chumley.

Fuller passed for 229 yards, in comparison to Sidney's 168, with an interception by Fuller late in the 3rd quarter that also led to a Logger touchdown, turning the momentum.

Loren Nelson had 84 of Libby's total 229 yards in receiving, making a dazzling catch late in the third quarter when he dove for Sidney's two yard line. Jeremy Chumley then forced the ball into the endzone, helping the Loggers pull away from Sidney, 34-20.

With 10:40 left in the fourth quarter, Eagles quarterback Trent Thomas threw another pass to Abelseth, good for a 32-yard touchdown, but that would be the closest they would get to Libby, 34-26.

According to Coach Fuller, Logger defense helped pave the way to their eventual victory.

"The key series of the game was the first defensive series of the second half," Fuller said.

Jeremy Chumley made two more Logger touchdowns later in the fourth for a total of 6 touchdowns in the game, bringing the score to a staggering 47-26 amidst continuously buzzing chainsaws.

The Loggers will travel to Billings Saturday to play Billings Central High School at 1 p.m. in the semi-finals, the classification's only unbeaten team.

"They're going to be by far the toughest team we've played," said Jeremy. "But if we play our best game, we have a chance. It's going to be a dog fight."

With their linemen averaging over 285 and Libby's around 230, it's going to take more than muscle to get past Billings.

Jeremy summed it up nicely: "They outweigh us, but it's not all about that," he said, adding "we have to have some heart in there too."

Due to an Ozzy Osbourne concert Friday night, hotels are going fast, so make those reservations now.