Bears rain on Bulldogs’ parade

A drizzly rain was falling at “The Pit” in Cabool as SCA play opened for the Bears (1-1) and the Bulldogs (0-2). You kind of knew that Friday the 13th was going to end in bad luck for one of them.

 

Wet conditions told the tale for most of the first half. The slippery ball resulted in fumbles from both teams as the offense struggled to hold on and hang on.  Defense made their presence known, shutting down the Bulldog attack, spearheaded by Isaac Murphy and Aiden Messex.  The first half ended with no score as the defenses battled the offenses and the soggy conditions battled everyone.

 

After the half, momentum began to swing in Cabool’s favor with sophomore Briley Honeycutt taking it in for a touchdown from the 15 yard-line.  PAT made the score 7-0.  The Bears embarked on a scoring drive of their own.  Quarterback Caden Lee hit Jace Rodgers at the 5- yard line.  Rodgers moved into the QB position and punched the ball in for the touchdown.  The extra point kick was no good and Cabool held onto a 7-6 lead.

 

The Bulldogs scored again on a bomb downfield from Carson Long to Carson Lindsey.  The two-point conversion was no good, making the score at the end of the third 13-6, Cabool.  But oh, how important that missed conversion would be.

 

Late in the fourth quarter, Rodgers raced for another touchdown and the Bears got gutsy going for 2.  Lee found Everett Smith in the back of the endzone, and the Bears took a one-point lead, 14-13, with 4:12 to play.  

 

The Bulldogs received at their own 34, with plenty of time to respond, but the WS defense applied pressure and the ball was fumbled by Cabool at their own 14-yard line.  James Dean recovered it and the Bears took over.  Effectively using the clock, Rodgers gained short yardage on keepers and, on fourth-and-one, drew the Bulldogs offsides giving the Bears a new set of downs.  Cabool was out of timeouts and could do nothing but watch as the Bears lined up in victory formation to run out the clock.  The Bears came away with a win for the second time in as many weeks, foiling Homecoming for the Bulldogs.

 

The Bears travel to Mtn Grove to take on the Panthers on Friday.