Council Dominates Garden Valley, Wins Long Pin League Title
Off-season and early-season chatter had a similar tune. Some rivals couldn’t wait to play Council. After all, they had lost a few of their best players after winning the Long Pin in 2022. Now would be their chance to exact revenge. Council would have five new starters and surely wold be ripe for the picking. Those new starters all had tons of promise, but still unproven. While everyone else eyed the crown, Council was focused on attempting to win back-to-back titles, something not done in over 15 years.
Council and Garden Valley have always had an intense rivalry, not so much from proximity but more that both teams always seem to be in the hunt for league titles. This year’s game had as much at stake as any. If Council won, they’d be league champions. If Garden Valley won, some work would still have to be done but they would control their own destiny.
The Wolverines came in ranked #3 in the media poll; Council was #5. MaxPreps had Council #3 and Garden Valley #6. But a lot seemed unknown. Council had three losses, but all to ranked teams in the division above them or the #1 overall seed. Garden Valley was 5-1 but hadn’t faced the same level of competition.
Council struck first. Owen Hatfield hit Tucker Laine for an 11-yard TD pass in double coverage, only a play after having a touchdown pass to Dalton Bingham called back; 6-0 Council.
Garden Valley fired back, and kicked an extra point to take a 7-6 lead. The Wolverines, thanks to Council’s lightning-quick and suffocating defense, would never see the end zone again. From there on out, it was all Council in a blowout.
The Lumberjacks, who have been known all season to be a ground-and-pound running team, turned predominantly to their air attack. Owen Hatfield dissected the Wolverine defense throughout the game, finishing 17 of 22 for 321 yards and 4 TD’s, mostly all in the first half as Council pulled away quickly.
Council’s army of talented receivers - namely Decker McLinn, Gary Zielinski, Tucker Laine, Mason Roberts, Dalton Bingham, and Bryan Jordan - caught everything in their zip code. Six different receivers caught passes, and all finished with over 20 yards receiving.
Always the silent workers, the line was on point all game. Offensively, Wade Vining, Remington Crowell, Travis McMichael, and Jaxon Thomas provided excellent pass protection (zero sacks) and downfield blocking on screen passes.
Defensively, to counter Garden Valley’s run game, Mason Roberts was often sent on linebacker blitzes, recording multiple tackles for loss. And our ball-hawking defensive backs had a field day. Gary Zielinski had two picks, and Dalton Bingham and Decker McLinn each added one. Council’s defense has allowed three total touchdowns in their four league games, a real statement to their abilities.
This Friday is Senior Night, where we pay tribute to our fine class of 2024. Council hosts Salmon River, with the game starting at 7pm.
Passing: Owen Hatfield 17/22 for 321 yards; Mason Roberts 1/1 for 17 yards.
Receiving: Dalton Bingham 3/82 (2TD), Mason Roberts 3/77, Decker McLinn 4/67, Tucker Laine 3/34 (TD), Gary Zielinski 1/34 (TD), Bryan Jordan 3/23.
Rushing: Dalton Bingham 13/49 (TD), Drake Miller 5/49 (TD), Garrison Zielinski 6/37 (2TD), Owen Hatfield 7/20, Mason Roberts 3/5.
Tackles: Mason Roberts 9 (1 sack), Dalton Bingham 8, Wade Vining 8, Decker McLinn 7 (1 sack), Travis McMichael 7 (1 sack), Tucker Laine 4 (1 sack), Garrison Zielinski 4, Remington Crowell 2, Bryan Jordan 2, Devin Townsend 2, Oscar Warner 2, Jaxon Thomas 1, Brody Moore 1, Carson Roberts 1.
Interceptions: Garrison Zielinski 2, Dalton Bingham 1, Decker McLinn 1.
