Turnovers tough to overcome

Turnovers plagued the Summerland Bobcats’ second straight loss of the season, yet Coach Jeff Shabram sees progress.

“We played a much more physical game this past week vs. St. Mary’s. That was encouraging to see as it must become our identity,” Shabram said after a 42-14 loss to O’Neill St. Mary’s, Friday, in Ewing.

The Bobcats’ initial drive stalled, after an illegal motion penalty on fourth and two forced a punt.

The redbirds moved downfield, spurred by an Aidan Hedstrom to Gabe Pribil reception giving St. Mary’s a first and 10 from the 26 yard line.

An untimely penalty scooted the Cardinals one step closer to the goal line before Tate Thompson ran it in from the three-yard line.

Hedstrom’s pass to Thompson put the Cards up, 8-0.

The Bobcats’ second possession saw several breakaways by running back Trevor Thomson, but an untimely personal foul penalty on the Cards, followed by a mid-field pass from Mason Hoke to Ty Rix set up Summerland’s first touchdown.

Thomson juked and jived around the outside corner, scampering into the endzone from 11 yards out. The sophomore RB added the PAT to tie the game.

Hedstorm moved his squad down field, running it in from 25 yards out, as time expired in the first quarter. His pass to Thompson brought the score to 16-8.

The Cardinals scored early in the second quarter, when Hedstrom connected with Thompson for a 10-yard touchdown completion. The PAT failed.

The Bobacats drove downfield, but a Hoke fumble near midfield gave the redbirds new life.

Shabram said, “Right now, turnovers are our achilles heel. We will have a lot of ball security drills and turnover circuit drills in practice this week.”

A strong Bobcat defensive stance returned the ball to the home team, with approximately four minutes left to play in the half.

Hoke threw a line drive to Dalton Rotherham, but the ball slipped through his grip. A St. Mary’s penalty gave the home team a second chance, but Hoke fumbled while running near the sideline and Isaac Everit was in the end zone a handful of plays later, catching a 14-yard pass which gave St. Mary’s a 28-8 advantage.

The third quarter proved to be a defensive battle as both teams swapped possession before Tyler Bellar broke a tackle and raced to the 22-yard line.

A couple plays later, Hoke fumbled the ball and the Cardinals recovered on the six-yard line.

“No team - our’s especially - is built to overcome such a turnover deficit each game,” Shabram said.

Hedstrom added a touchdown with 10:38 remaining in the game, boosting the visitors’ lead to 34-8.

Summerland took the kickoff and established a nine-play drive resulting in a 16-yard scamper for six by Thomson.

The PAT came up short of the goal line.

St. Mary’s next drive stalled near midfield, returning the ball to the Bobcats.

Following five successful running plays, Hoke’s pass was intercepted by Connor Semin, who returned the ball 50 yards to the end zone.

Thompson ran in the PAT to set up the final score.

Up next for the Bobcats is CWC. Summerland will travel to Chambers to take on the Renegades (1-1), who are coming off a 36-24 loss to Fullerton.

“CWC will present many challenges for us with their overall team speed. They are quick to the ball on defense and quick to get into open space on offense,” Shabram said. “We have our work cut out for us again this week.”

Statistics vs. St. Marys:

Passing: Jaykwon Petite: 0/1; Hoke: 1/9 for 25 yards

Rushing: Petite: 1/-4 yards; Thomson: 22/107 yards; Hoke: 4/14 yards; Bellar: 14/95 yards; Kendrick Schroeder: 1/-3 yards

Receiving: Ty Rix: 1/25 yards

Fumbles: Hoke 2/2

Pancake Blocks: Levi Cronk: 1; Bellar: 1; Logan Mueller: 1

Tackles: Rotherham: 5; Rix: 2; Cronk: 5; Cody Wickersham: 1; Thomson: 11; Rafe Grebin: 5; Alex Arroyo: 4; Gaby Gamez: 4; Hoke: 1; Bellar: 6; Schroeder: 4; Dillon Moser: 3; Matthew Potter: 1; Wyatt Chipps: 4; Colton Thiele: 8; Joe Ahlers: 5; Kellen Mlnarik: 4; Anthony Umphress: 4; Mueller: 8

Sacks: Thomson: 1; Thiele: 1

Kickoffs: Gamez: 3/106 yards

Punts: Grebin: 1/16 yards; Gamez: 2/51 yards

Kickoff Returns: Thomson: 2/37 yards; Grebin: 3/24 yards; Moser: 1/0 yards

Punt Returns: Rix: 1/0 yards; Thomson: 1/15 yards