Coach Bavaro and his 6-2 BHHS Bruins football team closed out the 2019 regular season schedule Friday night in Murphy against the #1 OSAA ranked Mustangs of Hidden Valley.
A confident undefeated Mustangs team, celebrating senior night, stepped on their home field and wasted no time establishing an offensive attack. After the Bruins deferred the kick-off and kicked to the Mustangs to start the game, the Mustangs took just 5 plays to get into the endzone on a slant pass and catch that totaled 48 yards and a 0-7 lead for the Mustangs.
The Bruins, who’s defense has held all other teams below their average scoring struggled to contain the speed, size and efficiency of the Mustangs. Offensively, the Bruins offensive line had trouble recognizing and stopping the stunts and blitzes the Hidden Valley defense threw at them early.
The Bruins punted on their first possession returning the ball to the Mustang offense. Again, 5 plays later, the Mustangs ran a sweep to the right and into the corner of the endzone. Half way into 1st quarter, and 10 Hidden Valley offensive plays into the game, the Bruins trailed the Mustangs 0-14.
The Bruins had some very good individual play from a handful of players. Junior receiver Derek Tuttle #42 had a spectacular one handed reception over the middle for a 30 yard gain as well as a 12 yard touchdown reception late in the game.
Senior quarterback Ethan Hooper #10, who was pressured and struggled early in the game, showed determined leadership finishing off a long sustained Bruin drive late in the second half with a touchdown run getting the Bruins on the board late. Junior Logan Hollar #11 and Ethan Hooper traded quarterback duties on the night and Holler added a new dimension to the Bruin offense with an effective passing and running attack that kept the Mustang defense guessing, giving an offensive spark to the Bruins.
Ultimately, the Mustangs, who averaged 50 points per game coming into the game scoring 402 points in 8 games, put up 49 points of offense Friday night. The Bruins defense was solid for the majority of the game against a very potent and league dominant Hidden Valley offense. Timely big Hidden Valley plays extended the final score to a 12-49 Mustang win.
After the game Coach Bavaro saw positives from the game saying “These young men gave us great effort even with the scoreboard not in their favor.” “They stayed locked in the whole game and played hard until the final whistle…it’s really all we can ask of them.” he went on to say.
Coach Bavaro and his #13 ranked Brookings-Harbor Bruin football team now await OSAA notification on post season placing and scheduling.
Congratulations Coach Bavaro, the entire coaching staff and all the dedicated young athletes on a fantastic 2019 season.
