Having started out with a takeaway, recovering a fumble from a Cougar who could not corral a kickoff, the Bears started their first drive at the Cougars’ 13. Two plays later came the first of many touchdowns for the Bears, this one on a pitch and run to running back Levi Askew. The two-point conversion attempt was good. With 11:05 still to play in the first quarter, the Bears led 8-0.
The Bears defense would force a Cougars punt that was returned to the Lafayette County 46. With Mason Moore playing quarterback in the early sequences for injured starter (ankle) Jaxon Smith, the Bears struck quickly yet again. At first and five (because of a Cougars offsides penalty) from the Cougars’ 41, Mason opted to keep the football, running to the endzone through a big lane. The two-point attempt was no good and the score was now 14-0.
The Cougars would nearly even things up, though, passing for a long touchdown reception by Michael Webb and then getting a 75-yard running touchdown from their senior running back Jordan Walters, who would go on to have a wildly productive night in terms of yards in the losing effort. As the first quarter ticked away, the Bears scored again. Karson Hamilton caught two long receptions in a row, the second a touchdown from the 18 yard line of Lafayette County, to put the Bears up 20-13 at the start of the second quarter. The conversion attempt was good.
The Cougars’ first possession of the second quarter would end on the second play in a fumble as the quarterback tried handing off to a runner. Spring Hill would recover the ball at their own 45 but could not take advantage of the turnover, being forced after a third-and-fifteen fumble that was recovered by the Bears’ Rhett Tuttle. The punt was fair caught at the Cougars’ 49.
The next score was by the Cougars, who managed to sneak a receiver in from the sidelines at the last second before a first-and-ten snap at the Spring Hill 27. The touchdown pass was caught by the uncovered receiver, making the score, with the good extra point kick attempt, 22-19 with Spring Hill leading.
The Bears would go ahead on the next drive, which featured long running gains by the speedy Jackson Putz, the powerful Levi Askew and the fleet quarterback Moore. Askew got a 27-yard run from the 27 to score the touchdown. The conversion attempt was no good and the score with 5:45 left in the half was 28-20.
The Bears would claim another turnover from Lafayette County on the kickoff. Their drive would start at the Cougars’ 42 and feature a fourth-and-five conversion thanks to another long Mason QB carry to reach first and goal. The touchdown was another Askew run, this time of five yards. The conversion would make the score 36-20 with 2:53 left in the half. Before the second quarter would expire, the Bears would tack on a comfort touchdown after an interception by Karson Hamilton, playing at safety. The two-point conversion, a handoff to Askew, was good and the score at expiration of the first half was 44-20.
For the remainder of the game, the Cougars would score 14, helped along by the running of last year’s all-conference back Jordan Walters. But the Bears had answers and got enough stops, adding 14 points of their own.
After the game, Coach Greg Smith gave his assessment of a high-scoring but comfortable win. “We knew that they were very talented. They had some explosive players. But when our defense comes out and keeps hitting, keeps hitting and finds those little windows of opportunity, we put two defensive touchdowns on the board. That's pretty potent stuff right there.”
Referring to Mason Moore and Jaxon Smith sharing time at quarterback as well as the exploits Friday night of younger players, Smith said, “we're developing some depth on certain positions and plays. Look at the quarterback position. We had two quarterbacks running tonight. That was a really nice situation there. You’ve got that depth and kids are still working hard to get on the field,” he said.
The next game will be Friday, October 17th at home against the 2-4 (0-3) Foreman Gators who are looking to snap a three-game losing streak.
SWARK.Today's coverage of the early afternoon Homecoming Ceremony can be seen here.
