Rain, long bombs, turnovers, goal line stands, touchdowns and overtime, if you only paid the price of admission at the gate at Bruin’s Elmer Bankus Field Friday night as Bruin football hosted the Phoenix Pirates, then you were stealing.
Friday night lights featured head coach Shaun Bavaro and the Bruin varsity football team hosting the Phoenix Pirates and both teams came out swinging from the opening kick. After receiving the opening kick-off and returning it to midfield, the Pirates tested the Bruin defense up the middle, out wide in the air with the Brookings-Harbor defense forcing three plays and a punt.
The Bruins first possession showed early successes in both the run and passing game, gaining an early first down before turning the ball over on an interception. Phoenix would turn the ball over on the next possession with another Bruin defensive interception as both teams opened up the playbook early attacking offensively.
Much of the first half was played between the 20’s as both teams consistently put together sustained drives into the each others territory, only to be turned away, sending both teams to the locker rooms at the half, tied 0-0.
The Bruins received the ball to start the second half of play, returning the ball to midfield and again gained a first down with some determined run plays, pushing for extra yards before fumbling and turning the ball over to the Pirates. Phoenix attacked with a mid range pass down the sideline, only to have the pass tipped and intercepted by Bruin defensive back Kyler Christensen, #2, and returned to the endzone for a Brookings-Harbor touchdown, giving the Bruins a 6-0 lead in the third period.
But the Pirates weren’t done, scoring with just over 2:00 minutes left in the third period on deep pass across the field, caught inside the Brookings-Harbor five yard line and carried into the endzone for a Pirate touchdown to tie the score at 6-6. Both teams again fought for field position and turnovers in the middle of the field for most of the fourth period before Phoenix forced a late Bruin punt and put together a drive that put them inside the red zone. With seconds left on the clock in the final period, the Pirates called a sweep to the right, and the Bruin defense shut the door, stopping the Pirates short of the goal line, sending the game to overtime after a dramatic game ending goal line stand.
In the overtime period, the Bruins would go on offense first, and the Phoenix defense would hold the Bruins, forcing the Bruins into a 4th down and long situation. Coach Bavaro called freshman quarterback Grady Maylin’s number, who would then step into a quick pass and hit freshman Owen Austin, #10, on a seam route into the endzone, scoring on 4th and long in overtime before the Bruins running game powered in on the extra point play, extending the Bruin lead to 14-6 in overtime.
The Pirates would take their overtime attempt next, driving down and gaining a first down, before attempting a roll out pass to the flat, that defensive back Owen Austin , #10 would intercept after jumping the route, ending the game 14-6 Bruins after overtime.
“First of all, great game by both teams, hats off to Phoenix.” coach Bavaro told the Compass after the game, “our defense played great and we finally had few take-ways and our offensive line made a big step forward showing some push tonight. Overall, great effort all game from these kids from our freshman to our seniors, I;m proud they way they showed some grit in tough times tonight, and we will use that as a stepping going into next week.
The Bruins will be on the road next Friday, traveling to Myrtle Creek to challenge the 3-2 South Umpqua Knights coming off a blow out win over St. Mary’s, with a kick-off time of 7:00pm.
