It was the marquee match-up in Class B football last weekend for sure: Number-three Jefferson against top-ranked and undefeated Manhattan. Both schools were 3-0 in conference play, and the Panthers already had knocked off multiple top-10 teams. The result of this contest likely would determine the top spot in District 5B for the playoffs.
In the end, the Tigers came out on top, with a 37-19 home win. Tyzer Zody had 258 yards passing, two touchdowns, and two interceptions for the Panthers, and Luke Oxarart grinded out 70 yards rushing and 105 yards receiving. Hunter Stevens and Mikael Richard each had touchdown receptions, and Oxarart came up with 16 tackles.
Now it’s time to get a good seeding for the playoffs, which start Nov. 2. Jefferson takes on Broadwater this Friday night — Senior Night in Boulder and a big game for both schools. A big turn-out of Panther fans certainly would be appreciated.
Volleyball
The Lady Panthers took second place in the championship bracket at the Blocktober volleyball tournament in Butte — a big competition filled with mostly Class A schools. Jefferson lost to Billings Central in the final.
Jefferson is holding down first place in the District with a 10-1 record. Ennis is second at 9-2, Townsend 8-2, Manhattan 3-7, Whitehall 2-8, Three Forks 2-8, and Lone Peak 2-9.
Cameron Toney leads the conference in kills with 180, and Brooklyn Miller is 8th with 66. Ryian Eveland is tops in blocks with 32.5, with Grace Quigley 8th with 14. Erica Shields is third in the district with 219 assists, and Avery Popp 10th with 35. Maddy Averill is second in digs with 198, and Popp 5th with 138. Popp is 4th in aces with 21, and Averill 12th with 14.
This week the Panthers are at Columbus on Thursday and host Manhattan on Saturday for Senior Night. The District tournament will be played at Manhattan Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. The Divisional tournament is in Colstrip Nov. 7-9, and State is at Bozeman Nov. 14-15.
Cross Country
Jefferson’s boys’ cross country team won the Rusty Raisland Memorial Meet on Oct. 17 in Townsend. Dominic Hurlbert finished 4th for the Panthers in 16:50. Marshall Jensen was 6th in 17:28, McKenon Boyd 8th, 17:53, Caelum Dunn 16th, 19:03, and Colin Gallagher 21st, 19:55. Pierce Ward, Adam Sherlock and Matthew Zelenka finished 26th through 28th, in order.
The girls’ team finished second to Broadwater. Peyton Stearns led the Panthers, placing 2nd individually in 19:38. Isabella and Rebekah Warren finished 8th and 9th, respectively, at 21:01 and 21:05. And Maylea Dawson (23:06) and Natalie Russ (23:29) were 20th and 21st.
The cross country state championships will be run this Saturday at the University of Montana golf course in Missoula. Class B girls run at 11 a.m., and Class B boys at noon. Come cheer on the Panther “hoofers!”
