Billings Central Edges Laurel 13-7 in Class A Playoff Thriller

Billings Central Survives Playoff Thriller Against Laurel at Herb Klindt Field

The Billings Central Rams opened the Class A playoffs with a hard-fought 13-7 victory over their rival, Laurel, at Herb Klindt Field on the campus of Rocky Mountain College. The game sent the Locomotives home and advanced the Rams to the next round in a contest that sharply contrasted their regular-season meeting.

Back in September, Laurel defeated the Rams 31-29 in their one regular season matchup. Friday night’s playoff atmosphere offered no such offensive explosion, turning instead into a defensive struggle where every yard demanded maximum effort.

A Slow Start Gives Way to Second-Quarter Fireworks

Neither team managed to break through during a scoreless first quarter. The deadlock finally ended when Laurel struck first through the air. Davin Graves connected with Luke Maack on an 83-yard touchdown pass, handing the Locomotives a 7-0 advantage.

Billings Central responded before the halftime whistle sounded. Tight end Gunnar Larsen connected with Kaden Wahl on a deep pass, advancing the Rams inside the 10-yard line. Cade Ashcraft capitalized on the field position by punching in a 9-yard touchdown run, successfully tying the game at 7.

The Ground Game Settles a Tight Defensive Battle

Defensive units took over through the third quarter, keeping both offenses out of the end zone as the score remained deadlocked. The breakthrough arrived in the fourth quarter when Billings Central mounted a lengthy, methodical scoring drive.

The lengthy possession culminated in Ashcraft’s second rushing touchdown of the night, this time from 2 yards out. Although the subsequent Rams PAT missed, Central seized a 13-7 lead that put the pressure squarely back on Laurel.

With roughly five minutes remaining in regulation, the Locomotives orchestrated a promising response. The drive ultimately stalled inside Central territory, allowing the Rams’ defense to hold firm and secure the victory.

Quarterfinals Await in Hamilton

With the opening-round rivalry win secured, Billings Central advances to the quarterfinals of the Class A playoffs. The Rams will hit the road to face Hamilton on Friday night at 7 p.m., carrying the momentum of a hard-earned defensive victory into the next phase of the postseason bracket.