Senior Night: Three Forks Football hosting undefeated Columbus

Following a 46-8 loss that broke a five-game win streak on October 6 at Manhattan, Three Forks High School Football Head Coach Connor Sullivan said the message he gave the team is one loss doesn't define who they are and what they've built.

"They beat us in every aspect of the game tonight. In order to move forward, you have to accept it, learn from it, and take responsibility. That starts with me at the top. I have to do a better job of getting these kids ready to go in (big) games like that. Like I said before, we have a competitive group, and they're excited to get back to work," Sullivan said.

The Wolves would fall behind 8-0 at the end of the first quarter and trailed 22-0 going into halftime.

Three Forks would score their only touchdown of the game with 11:08 left in regulation on a one-yard pass from quarterback Shane Williams to Colten Hayder.

"It was a tough night for us in all three phases of the game. Hats off to Manhattan. That's a good football team over there, and they executed everything they had planned for us. We have a competitive bunch. Even though this is a tough loss, we will bounce back," Sullivan said.

Looking towards next week, Three Forks (5-2, 2-1 Southern B) will have another tough conference matchup when they host undefeated Columbus (6-0) on September 13, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. at John Overstreet Field.

The eight seniors on the 2023 Three Forks High School football team will be recognized before the kickoff of Friday's regular-season home finale.

Sullivan said seniors Caleb Van Vleet, Tallyn McCauley, Trevor Davis, Colton Hayder, Shane Williams, Cole Sloan, Jack Hayder, and Dominic Silcox have meant a lot to the rising program.

"They're the first group that has really bought into the culture change here in Three Forks and carried our standard the whole way since their freshmen year. They hold each other accountable and are a competitive bunch," Sullivan said.

With two regular season conference games remaining, the Wolves are currently third in the conference behind Columbus and Manhattan, with the top four teams advancing to the Class B playoffs.

"We still control our own destiny," Sullivan said.