After a long week of uncertainty with the Lakeview School District closure last week, Coach Bavaro and his 3-0 varsity Bruins made the long trip to Lakeview Friday night for the rescheduled game Saturday afternoon at 1:00pm.
With an air of concern and also of relief and anticipation for a return to normalcy, after a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem by Lakeview freshman Jaila Jackson, it was time for some football.
After the coin toss Lakeview deferred to the Bruins and on the Bruins first play from scrimmage, senior quarterback #10 Ethan Hooper dropped back and overthrew his receiver. The interception and turnover would be reciprocated when an eager Lakeview team tried to force themselves into the endzone first and threw their own interception turning the ball back over to the Bruins.
The Bruins then put together a long sustained 65 yard drive. The offensive line established running lanes in the middle of the line for senior running back #26 Manny Zamora, to establish the power running game. However, frivolous Bruin penalties would set the Bruins back several times in the game, frustrating coach Bavaro through out the day. After driving down to the Honker 5 yard line, penalties would move the Bruins back resulting in a 30 yard Logan Holler field goal starting off the scoring in the 1st quarter.
Several Bruins had stand out games. Senior Jason Vanginderen #53 and senior Josh Smith #78 manhandled the offensive and defensive line, pressuring the quarterback on defense and opening holes for the running game. Defensive lineman Jason Vanginderen also had an interception in the second half.
Senior quarterback Ethan Hooper had 3 touchdown passes and assisted senior Jacub McCollum #87 on a sack.
Logan Holler #11 threw 2 touchdown passes on the day, and had a 35 yard field goal early in the contest as well as 5 extra points as the Bruins went on to a 38-15 win.
After the game coach Bavaro said “We worked hard today, missed some throws and some reads in the run game. They lost a little focus there for a while, and then you see those self-inflicted fouls. We have had a lot of improvement, but we need to work on staying focused for 4 quarters. We have a quick turnaround this week with today’s Saturday game, and South Umpqua will be a tough out”.
The Bruins will start off league play with a 4-0 preseason behind them, and the South Umpqua Lancers ahead of them next Friday on the road in Myrtle Creek at 7:00pm.
