Ben Hales and the Wolverines of West Yellowstone take advantage of Wyatt Dunkel’s injury to run wild and defeat the Rebels 66-33.
On Friday at the PHS Seamus Camp Invite at McLeod Field in Livingston, West Yellowstone’s Ben Hales turned in a time of 19:26.6 in the 5,000-meter cross-country race and a top ten finish.
On Saturday, he didn’t stop running as he put on his Wolverines helmet, scored five touchdowns, and threw for a sixth as West Yellowstone spoiled Shields Valley’s season opener in Wilsall. Quite an impressive display of athleticism over 24 hours, considering basketball is Hales’s best sport.
The parking lot was full, and the stands packed in Wilsall with Rebels fans lining the field early to watch the boys start their season. Under sunny skies and warm temperatures (82 at kickoff), the two teams prepared for the game. I spoke with Hales before kickoff to ask what he was doing up in Wilsall after he ran in the cross-country meet on Friday. He was about to win a football game, he replied.
Quarterback Alma Clark and Hales were the entire Wolverine’s offense, as the two combined to score every time West Yellowstone was on offense except for their last series when they missed their only field goal attempt from 29 yards with 40 seconds left in the game.
When Wyatt Dunkel booted the ball to start the game, I figured it would be a hard-fought affair, and if the Rebels stars Robbie Anderson and Jace Page shined, they could win a close game. I didn’t foresee the importance that Dunkel (until now known primarily for his skills on the basketball court) had in the game plan or the impact of his first-half injury (he didn’t return) would have on the outcome.
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