Bears come up short against Salem

The weather was perfect for October football.  Newly crowned homecoming queen, Karson Gilbert, held court.  A huge crowd came out to support the home team. The Salem Tigers limped into town on a 0-5 record, and the Bears were hungry for a homecoming victory.  

 

The Bears defense started strong causing a fumble and a Bear recovery on the first possession.  Quarterback Jace Rodgers gave the ball to his workhorse, Kayden Woolsey, and freshman, Dane Flynn, who stepped into the running back position for the first time this season, but it was nothing doing for the Bears who turned it over on downs. Salem tried again to move the ball downfield, but Gavin Glenn said no to the Tigers with a statement tackle.  The next Bear possession backfired as Evan Mendenhall snagged a Rodgers’ pass and took it to the endzone for a quick Pick 6.  The first quarter ended 6-0 Salem.

 

But it turned out that Salem had a plan, and they put it on repeat in the second quarter – quarterback Ragsdale hands off to Hovey, everyone else blocks like crazy and the running back follows those blocks to the tune of 10-12 yards.  Using that methodical approach, Hovey scored twice more in the second, making the score 20-0, Salem, at the half.

 

The Bears came out of the locker room with renewed conviction, and if they could have erased the second quarter, the outcome of the game might have been different.  Borrowing the Tigers’ playbook, Woolsey gained ground behind good blocking. Rodgers took the opportunity to run, and Salem penalties provided some advantageous field position.  But the Bears continued to struggle with a failure to convert.  The defense seemed determined to hold off the Tigers with a knockdown and great pass coverage by Christopher McCune and a drive-stopping tackle in the backfield by Aiden Messex.

 

In the fourth quarter, Briston Ortega intercepted a pass in the endzone, saving a Salem touchdown, and the Bears were on the move.  A 52-yard bomb from Rodgers to Caden Lee put WS on the board.  Salem scored again on a quarterback keeper and the score was 28-6. In the last 3 minutes, the Bears scored again on a smorgasbord drive - a Woolsey carry, 15-yard catch-and-run by John Baugh, Rodgers’ keeper, short pass to Lee, and Woolsey fumbling the ball into the endzone, recovered by the Bears for a touchdown.  The final score of the game was 28-14, Tigers.

 

The Bears will be on the road Friday night to take on the Houston Tigers.