Bobcats finish season with loss at regionals at Mountain View

Hot Springs County High School Football program ended its 2017 season with a 45-0 loss at Mountain View.

Coach Matt McPhie said the loss was disappointing, but noted Mountain View has a good football team. While the Bobcats came out with plenty of energy, the Buffaloes had a bit more physicality to them. McPhie added the Thermopolis boys weren’t making their job assignments and though they played well they were simply outmanned.

“Those kids fought for 48 minutes,” McPhie said. “They never gave up, and they kept battling.” While there was not much to celebrate, the coach said the game was a testament to what our boys can do.

As for the season, McPhie said the boys set out to be the best team they could be, and their making it into the playoffs is a step forward. There were plenty who elevated their game this year, he said, including Jeffery VanAntwerp, who worked extremely hard during the off-season and during the season, and played well on defense.

Noah Schwalbe also had a great season on defense, McPhie said, rating high on defensive points through the season and being in the top three for points going into week one of the playoffs.

Andrew Yarbrough did well on the offensive line, and Coach McPhie pointed out he played hard and was very physical, opening holes for the running game and giving plenty of pass protection.

Cullen Becher, McPhie said, did all the coaches asked of him this season, and is a great representative of the program.

All of the seniors, the coach added, did a good job in helping to turn the culture of the football program around. Looking ahead to next year, McPhie said he’s seen some good, athletic eighth graders and he’s excited for them to join the high school team next year.