After 10 regular-season losses in 10 regular-season games, the Shiloh Christian football team finally broke through last Friday night.

Shiloh defeated Wilton-Wing 38-8 at Hughes Field that night for its first varsity football win. The Shiloh program is in its fourth season and its second playing a varsity schedule. After suffering lopsided losses to Center-Stanton (34-8) and Central McLean (44-6) to open the 2008 campaign, the Skyhawks put together what coach Bart Brackin called the "first complete game" in the program's short history.

"It was a total team effort. … When we watched the tape, we saw everybody doing their job," he said. "The blocking was good, the execution was good, and on defense we flew to the ball. It was a big night all around for us. This win means so much to the kids and to our school. It was a big step forward."

Senior running back Jared Miller was the Skyhawks' offensive star with scoring runs of 99 and 50 yards, and a 64-yard punt return for a TD. He finished the night with 165 yards rushing on only five carries.

Miller joined the team just two weeks ago.

"Jared was out for football his freshman and sophomore years, but he chose not to come out last year," Brackin said. "But we're glad he decided to come back this year. His speed is really going to help us. Speed is something you can't coach. It's nice to have that aspect on our team. It gives us a big weapon, and something like that gives the kids some added confidence."

Sophomore Zane Miller added 92 yards on 16 carries.

Continuing on the subject of Millers, senior R.J. Miller made his first start at quarterback last Friday night, taking over for Wyatt Knell who suffered a concussion during the Aug. 29 game against Central McLean.

Miller, who started at running back the first two games, had seen very limited action at the quarterback spot.

"R.J. has been a running back from the beginning of his career, and he's back after missing all of last year with a broken leg," Brackin said. "We put him in there because we felt that he could do the job, and he did a great job running the team and managing the game. He didn't turn the ball over, and we didn't have any delay of game or procedure penalties. He showed great leadership."

Senior Josh Hehr led the defense with 13 tackles (seven unassisted, six assisted).

Cougars alone at top

Last Friday's 9-man Region 6 contest between unbeatens Central McLean and Richardton-Taylor-Hebron in Underwood lived up to its billing.

RTH opened up a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, but Central McLean put up16 unanswered points in the second and held on for a 16-14 win. The Cougars improved to 3-0 and took over sole possession of first place in the region. The Raiders (2-1) suffered their first loss of the season.

"This was a big win because it came against a good team, and it gives us a leg up on everybody else in the region," said Kevin Dockter, who shares Central McLean's head coaching duties with Keith Sundquist. "There are a lot of games left, and a lot of good teams out there. Winning this game isn't going to win the region, but it definitely gives us confidence and puts us in a good position."

The Cougars got it done with a ball-control offense led by hard-running 185-pound running back Grant Singer. The junior from Turtle Lake-Mercer High carried 38 times for 229 yards and two touchdowns, giving him 579 yards and seven six-pointers on the season. He racked up 123 yards in Central McLean's two TD drives. Singer also ran for 12 first downs.

"Grant's such a solid football player," Dockter said. "We needed a big effort from Grant (Friday), and he gave us just that."

All told, the Cougars ran 62 plays - 56 rushing - compared to 38 for the Raiders.

RTH picked up 61 yards in an eight-play TD drive on its opening possession, but lacked consistency the rest of the way.

"We have a lot of new kids starting and you're going to see that sort of thing early on," RTH coach Travis Olson said following the game. "The important thing is we learn from this and keep working towards getting better. One thing I think we learned (Friday) was how to play physical football. That's what we have to do to get to the next level."

"This was a tough loss, but one game doesn't make a season," Olson continued. "We'll put this one behind us and focus on our next game."

Bending, not breaking

Center-Stanton's defense did some considerable bending last Friday, but it didn't break against previously-unbeaten Hettinger.

The Wildcats surrendered more than 300 yards rushing and more than 400 yards total, but kept the Black Devils out of the end zone in a 14-2 9-man Region 6 win.

The key was turnovers. Center-Stanton intercepted three passes and recovered four fumbles on the way to its second win in three outings. Jacob Henke had two picks, and Michael Henke had the other. Tyler Price took one fumble 91 yards for the game's first TD.

The Black Devils (2-1) also drove inside the Center-Stanton 10-yard line on four other occasions, but the Wildcats stood firm each time.

"Hettinger marched up and down the field that night, but once they got into the red zone, our kids tightened up and made the plays they had to make," Center-Stanton coach Scott Jung said. "Give our kids credit. They fought hard the whole night to get the win."

Quarterback Wendlin Berger led the Center-Stanton offense with 94 yards on six-for-10 passing. He also had 30 yards rushing.