HAVRE —Talk about a bounce back.
Butte Central scored early and often Friday night, taking out six days worth of frustration on the Blue Ponies with a 61-19 non-conference football win over Havre at Blue Pony Stadium.
“The kids responded,” BC coach Don Peoples Jr. said. “We were disappointed with last week, and the kids responded with a solid week of practice and a nice performance.”
Led by Brady Tippett, Joe Joyce, Connor McGree and a solid performance from the offensive line, Peoples said the Maroon offense clicked.
Joyce rushed for 148 yards on 22 carries. The senior scored four touchdowns, reaching the end zone on runs of 5, 2, 4 and 2 yards.
Tippett had a hand in four touchdowns. The senior quarterback passed for 242 yards and three touchdowns —a 22-yard strike to Kale Guldseth, a 69-yard pass to McGree and a 12-yard strike to Kaemen Ricahrds. Tippett also scored on an 18-yard run.
“For the most part we weren’t in a punt situation the whole game,” the coach said.
Also, Dan Peoples scored on an 8-yard burst.
Defensively, the Maroons got a boost from the BC debut of sophomore linebacker Ben Holt, who sat out the opener with an injury.
“Ben Holt sparked us on defense,” Peoples said. “It was nice to have him out there. He brings a lot of energy to the field.”
Thurmon Holdsclaw had a big night for Havre. He caught TD passes of 17 and 82 yards. He also hit Dan Warp for an 82-yard pass.
Of course, the Maroons were up 26-0 first.
The Maroons will play at home next Saturday night against Billings Central.
Butte Central 14 12 14 21 — 61
Havre 0 7 12 0 — 19
First Quarter
BC — Joe Joyce 5 run (Dan Peoples kick), 7:57
BC — Brady Tippett 18 run (Peoples kick), 2:47
Second Quarter
BC — Kale Guldseth 22 pass from Tippett (kick failed), 11:51
BC — Joyce 2 run (run failed), 5:44
H — Holdsclaw 32 pass from Dane Warpath (Christiansen kick), 2:49
Third Quarter
BC — Joyce 4 run (Peoples kick), 5:21
H — Zach Plum 17 pass from Thurmon Holdsclaw (kick failed)
BC — Connor McGree 69 pass from Tippett (Peoples kick)
H — Dane Warp 82 pass from Holdsclaw (kick failed)
Fourth Quarter
BC — Kaemen Richards 12 pass from Tippett (Peoples kick), 9:41
BC — Joe Joyce 2 run (Peoples kick)
BC — Dan Peoples 8 run (Peoples kick), :30
BC HAVRE
First Downs 22 15
Rushes 37-267 22-59
Passing 15-20-2-242 16-29-1-297
Total 500 356
Punts 0 6-28.8
Fumble 1-0 1-0
Penalties 7-60 5-35
Individual Statistics
RUSHING — Butte Central, Tippett 9-59, Joyce 22-148, Richards 2-42, Peoples 4-19. Havre, Holdsclaw 5-1, Warp 7-(-18), Tristan Manuel 6-56, Gunner Aagesot 3-22.
PASSING — Butte Central, Tippett 15-20-2-242. Havre, Warp 14-26-1-276, Holdsclaw 1-1-0-17, Swan 1-1-0-4.
RECEIVING — Butte Central, McGree 6-148, Guldseth 3-49, Richards 1-12, Wyatt Kingston 3-45. Havre, Ned Maloney 1-5, Zack Plum 4-110, Holdsclaw 8-152, Manuel 1-7, Thomas Gruber 3-22.