Head coach Shawn Bavaro and the BHHS varsity football team made the 4 hour trek to Etna, southwest of Yreka, California, to challenge the Lions Friday evening in a preseason match-up to test the Bruins after last weeks win over the Pleasant Hill Billies.
Two well matched teams took the field Friday evening with both teams eager to build their programs before season play begins, and the Bruin offense put together a scoring drive early to take a 0-6 lead after quarterback Grady Maylin #12, ran into the endzone.
However, the Etna offense matched the Bruins, stretching the Bruin defense to get into the endzone themselves to tie the game at 6-6, before scoring again before the half to send the game into the half-time break 12-6 Etna.
In the third period, the Bruins offense drove the ball into the Lions half of the field before an Etna penalty put the ball inside the 10 yard line with under 5:00 minutes to go in the third. Freshman quarterback would then run for his second rushing touchdown in the game and then would hit his receiver on the 2 point conversion to put the Bruins up 12-14.
But in the fourth, the Lions would stretch the Bruin defense and get around the edge on a run sweep and beat the Bruins to the endzone before completing their 2 point conversion to take a 20-14 lead with just over 5:00 minutes in the game.
The Bruins would rally late, driving again into Lions territory after Maylin completed a pass to Owen Austin of a quick crossing pattern that would put them on the Etna 35 with less than 2:00 minutes left to play.
But the Bruins would come up short as the final whistle blew, falling 20-14 after a couple mental mistakes and time forced the Bruins out of striking distance with just seconds left.
“It was a back and forth game. Proud of the kids battling all night. We need to get better in the red zone and get off the field on 3rd down.” coach Bavaro said after the game. We had a couple chances to win it at the end, we just came up short.”
The Bruins will be on the road to Medford next Friday evening for their final preseason contest of the 2024 campaign, against the St. Mary’s Crusaders, with kick-off set for 7:00pm.
