Coach Bavaro and his 4-0 Bruin football team were on another long road trip to Myrtle Creek after last weeks trip to Lakeview, to meet up with the South Umpqua Lancers.
The Bruins have been working on high-level play for 4 quarters and the Bruins came out a little lethargic in early parts of the 1st quarter of play. The Lancers took the opening kick-off and returned it all the way down inside the Bruin 25 yard line.
The Bruin defense stood their ground and worked the Lancers into a 4th and 9 situation. The Lancer quarterback dropped back and hit his receiver on a drag route across the middle for an early Lancer touchdown and extra point taking the lead 0-7.
The Lancer defense held the Bruins on their first two possessions and then the Bruin defense gave up a 50 yard gain when they got beat to the outside and deep putting the Lancers in position to score for their second time in as many possessions. Before the end of the 1st period, the Bruins trailed 0-14 and were looking at their largest deficit of the 2019 season.
But the Bruins were patient and the pound the ball on the ground game plan began to take its toll early. Again, the Bruins line was on point as they opened holes for senior running back Manny Zamora #26 who easily ran for over 100 yards on the night ripping big runs on the edges and punishing them on the inside.
In the second period the Bruin defense tightened up led by junior defensive back Kayson Christensen #9 and his two interceptions on the night. The defensive line plugged the running routes of the Lancer running game, and the Lancers never saw the endzone again.
Bradly Conduracki #21 started scoring off for the Bruins just 3:00 minutes into the 2nd quarter on a 1 yard dive over the left tackle. The Bruins got the game within 1 point just before the end of the first half after Bruin quarterback Ethan Hooper #10 hit receiver sophomore Jason DeShon #23 on a short crossing route in the endzone.
The Bruins kept their foot on the gas and continued to pound the Lancers in the trenches with their running game with Manny Zamora good for 4 to 5 yards a carry. Logan Holler threw for a touchdown and had a touchdown run on a quarterback sweep to the left for the 6 yard touchdown.
Derek Tuttle #42 had a fumble recovery and a 45 yard touch down on a skinny post pattern late in the 4th quarter closing out the Bruin scoring ending the game 35-14.
“The team dug in, woke up and played ball the last 3 quarters of the game. Hats off to the team for getting after it and scoring 27 unanswered points after being down 14. It’s a huge sign that our program is going in the right direction.” Coach Bavaro said after the game.
The now 5-0 Bruins will be at home for Homecoming next Friday night taking on the Douglas Trojans at Bruin Stadium at 7:00pm.
