#BeyondTheKeystone Montana (Plentywood v. MonDak) @PwoodWildcats @GrenoraS

Sykotyk | September 11, 2020

A little delayed getting these posted due to server troubles.

Plentywood Wildcats v. MonDak Thunder
Plentywood, MT v. Westby, MT/Grenora, ND
September 3, 2020

This game was all MonDak Thunder.

So, a Thursday contest was a surprise. Two, in fact. Plentywood, Montana is located at the intersection of route 5 and 16 in the far northeast corner of the state. It’s a small town in a valley alone a line of hills stretching to the north and east of town. Its name given by the plethora of trees in an area devoid of woods.

Plentywood’s opponent for the evening was the MonDak Thunder. A co-op located just east of Plentywood. Westby, Montana and Grenora, North Dakota combined to form the MonDak Thunder in most sports years ago. Including six-man football. An option not available at the time in North Dakota. But, the co-op with Westby, a border town literally straddling the border, gave Grenora an in-road to playing six-man football in Montana.

Though, after years of continued success, the MonDak Thunder were elevated from C-6 to C-8. This gave them more local competition as Plentywood, Scobey/Ophreim, Culbertson, Fairview, etc are eight-man.

I arrived in Plentywood quite early on Thursday and got a chance to walk around town and take in the small prairie town’s core. Main Street runs from route 5 to the county courthouse. And the high school sits beside the courthouse. The stadium sits behind the school to the north, just before a small, formed ridge dominating the northern vista. The home stands climb the hillside to the west. Bleachers above a short wall, with a small, unused, outbuilding, followed by a long row of currently unfinished steps to a small press box at the top of the hill. Surrounded on both sides by cars giving comfortable views of the entire field. The visiting stands are literally just that. They can stand. There are no bleachers or seats.

The field only has four light standards. A small concession stand exists at the gate behind the school. Which includes new, but doorless, restrooms. As much of the midwest, there is no programs, but one-page roster sheets are provided for free.

The game itself was aired live, and streamed, through NEMONT.TV, a local provider of the area covering northeastern Montana. The field, in Plentywood, had no signage detailing a name, but was told by a coach that it is Lincoln Field. It took a moment after looking at google maps to realize that the field sits at the end of, after passing between the school and courthouse, Lincoln Street. Plentywood having many streets named after former presidents. Founded in 1912, the town had ample opportunity to come up with street names that way. And, unironically, the names of many trees.

Kickoff was set for the slightly odd-sounding 6:30pm kickoff. Which makes sense when you consider though Westby is in Montana, Grenora is in North Dakota and northwest North Dakota is Central Timezone. Meaning it is a regular 7:30pm kickoff for them. A middle schoool game was scheduled for 4pm. But upon arrival, it was confirmed the game was cancelled due to lack of players by MonDak.

So, a thorough practice by Plentywood’s younger squad gave way to the start of the varsity game. Though, MonDak quickly jumped out to a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Not once missing a beat. The lighting was difficult to photograph after the sun had fully set. But, still managable. A 32-8 halftime lead setup a running clock once it hit 35 points. MonDak 58, Plentywood 14.