Nov. 24—FRENCHTOWN — Down their top running back, their quarterback and trailing 14-3 early, Frenchtown rode a freshman to an improbable 31-21 win over Billings Central in the State A football championship Friday.
With senior QB Dawson Rodoni knocked out of the game in the second quarter the Broncs — who couldn't suit up 1,000-yard rusher Cole Johnson because of his ejection from last week's semifinal game — turned to Cody Forthofer at QB.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe freshman, whose sophomore brother Jake got the start at running back, threw touchdown passes to Jordan Warner and Bailey Corrette and led two more scoring drives.
Corrette's 10-yard touchdown reception put the Broncs (11-1) in front 17-14 with 23 seconds left in the third quarter.
Midway through the fourth Central (11-1) went back in front 21-17 on a touchdown run by quarterback Howie Martin.
Frenchtown answered with two scores in the final 2:27: an 18-yard run by Forthofer that put the Broncs up 24-21; and after Central turned the ball over on downs at its own 34, Konnor Klimpel took a handoff and threw a fourth-down reverse option pass to Warner for a TD with 59 seconds remaining.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat clinched the Broncs' first title since 2009 — over Billings Central, as it turned out. The Rams came in with a 23-game winning streak and were gunning for two straight titles; they beat Frenchtown in September 35-7.
Cody Forthofer was 8 of 12 passing for 99 yards; he also ran 10 times for 60 yards. Jake Forthofer ran 13 times for 48 yards. Warner, a senior, caught three passes for 69 yards. Rodoni, a junior, was 3 of 7 passing for 61 yards. Corette, a senior, caught five passes for 59 yards.
On defense, Klimpel had seven tackles — five for losses. He's a senior.
Bil. Central 7 7 0 7 — 21
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFrenchtown 10 0 7 14 — 31
F — Brett Kleinsmith 27 FG, 4:29-1Q
BC — Layne Alexander (Brady Martin kick), 3:19-1Q
BC — Michael Thomas 1 run (B.Martin kick), 6:59-2Q
F — Jordan Warner 28 pass from Cody Forthofer (Brett Kleinsmith kick), :42-1Q
F — Bailey Corrette 10 pass from Forthofer (Kleinsmith kick), :23-3Q
BC — Howie Martin 1 run (B.Martin kick), 7:24-4Q
F — Forthofer 18 run (Kleinsmith kick), 2:27-4Q
F — Warner 36 pass from Kellen Klimpel (Kleinsmith kick), :59-4Q
NOTE: This story was updated with Frenchtown's statistical leaders on Nov. 24.
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