Jordan and Wibaux will battle next week for Montana's 6-Man football state championship after both took care of business at home on Saturday afternoon. Wibaux survived a semifinal nail-biter over Westby-Grenora 36-28, while Jordan pulled away from Big Sandy 55-25.
In what's turned into a championship preview, Jordan outlasted Wibaux on the road last month 47-41.
Jordan 55, Big Sandy 25
On a muddy field in Jordan, the hometown Mustangs scored early and often en route to a 55-25 6-Man semifinal win over Big Sandy. Jordan will host Wibaux in next Saturday's championship at 1 p.m.
Ed Murnion accounted for six touchdowns, four rushing, as the Mustangs racked up 392 yards of total offense. Keenan Murnion ran for 88 yards and passed for 255 and four scores. He also led everybody with 10 tackles.
Big Sandy's Kade Strutz was the top rusher with 173 yards and three touchdowns.
After trailing 25-6 late in the first half, Big Sandy drew to within 25-12 when Chris Burns powered in with 33 seconds left. That's as close as it got.
Trailing by the same score early in the third quarter Big Sandy lined up for its first punt of the game, but the fake attempt was stopped well short of a first down.
Ed Murnion powered in from a yard on Jordan's ensuing possession for a 31-12 lead with 3:41 left in the third quarter.
Three plays into Big Sandy's next drive Strutz fumbled near mid-field. Keenan Murnion put it away moments later with a 42-yard touchdown strike to Dawson Murnion for a 37-12 Mustangs lead.
Wibaux 36, Westby-Grenora 28
The Wibaux Longhorns scored first at home and held on for a 36-28 semifinal win over the Westby-Grenora Thunder.
Punch, counter-punch was the storyline in this one. Nearly every time Wibaux scored, Westby-Grenora answered, including late in the first half. Wibaux punched in for a 23-14 lead, but the Thunder countered with 16 seconds left on a touchdown and two-point conversion to get within 23-22. With one second left in the half Wibaux built separation again with a touchdown for a 30-22 lead at intermission.
Westby-Grenora tightened it to 30-28 with 3:50 left in the third quarter, a score that would hold into the final frame.
Wibaux produced the only fourth-quarter touchdown to account for a 36-28 final.
The Longhorns will play at Jordan for the 6-Man championship next Saturday at 1 p.m.
(Awaiting box score for story update)
