Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Tumbling down • Defensive lineman Joe Ahlers wrangles a Riverside player to the turf during first-quarter action, Friday, in Spalding. Despite two scoreless quarters, both offenses exploded in the second quarter. Ultimately, the Chargers surpassed the Bobcats in the final minutes of the game to claim a 27-26 win. The Bobcats open home play, Aug. 26, against Crofton. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., in what will be the first-ever game played at the school.
An season-opening battle against Riverside found the Bobcats coming up shy, as the Chargers charged downfield in the final minutes to earn a 27-26 win.
It was a battle of defenses, at least for two and a half quarters.
Summerland and Riverside traded possessions in the first period, which ended in a goose egg.
And then, Trevor Thomson scampered 48 yards to give the Bobcats a 6-0 edge.
The Chargers tied the game after a nine-yard run by Andrew Krick, with 11:02 left in the second quarter.
It took the Bobcats just over three minutes to set up a 45-yard run by Thomson for a quick six.
Kendrick Schroeder fumbled the extra point in the endzone, but the referees called it good.
With 4:02 remaining in the half, the Chargers responded with a 10-yard pass, but missed the PAT.
Riverside scored with 52 seconds left, hoping to take a 20-14 lead to the locker room, but the Bobcats had other plans.
The next Bobcat drive started on its 15-yard line. Jaykwon Petite came up with a big gain, running 33 yards, moving the Bobcats into scoring position. Two plays later, he connected with Alec Schindler, who outraced a Charger defender to tie the game at 20.
Third-quarter action saw both defenses being stingy, trading back-and-forth possessions with no payoff.
With 4:54 left in the fourth quarter, Michael Koenig plowed up the middle for a Bobcat touchdown. With a missed PAT, the Bobcats took a 26-20 lead.
Riverside responded quickly, gaining seven yards on the first play from scrimmage. A fumbled pitch on second down made it third and 13, with Gavin Whiting exploding off the line, allowing only a three-yard gain.
On the next play, a Chargers regained the lead and converted the kick to lead 27-26 with 3:05 remaining.
Alec Schindler returned the ensuing kickoff to the 23-yard line and Thomson gained a first down in two snaps.
Koenig tossed the ball to Schindler, but it fell incomplete. Schroeder ran 11 yards, placing the Bobcats on the Charger 35-yard line.
With 1:51 remaining, Koenig's pass was intercepted and the Chargers let the clock run down to secure the victory.
Coach Tom Thramer said his squad played really well for the first game.
"Riverside did a good job taking away our power game, so we had to go to an outside option game, which the kids ran well. I also thought our line held up really well against their pass rush and gave our quarterback time to make plays. I was truly proud of our effort on both sides of the ball," Thramer noted.
Statistics v Riverside:
Passing: Petite: 7/10 for 86 yards; Koenig: 0/3 for 0 yards
Rushing: Petite: 8/62; Schindler: 1/2; Koenig: 1/2; Thomson: 22/189; Schroeder: 12/85
Receiving: Schindler: 3/66; Sam Cheatum: 2/14; Thomson: 1/4; Schroeder: 1/2
Fumbles: Petite: 1/1 lost
Tackles: Petite, 4; Schindler, 7; Koenig, 2; Cheatum, 4; Levi Cronk, 3; Thomson, 12; Ethan Kester, 3; Schroeder, 8; Whiting, 3; Keaton Thiele, 7; Joe Ahlers, 5; Kellen Mlnarik, 1
Sacks: Cronk, 1; Ahlers, 1
Fumble recovery: Schindler, 1
Kickoffs: Cronk: 1/21; Schroeder, 3/52
Punts: Cronk, 1/30; Thomson, 1/24
Kickoff returns: Schindler: 1/24; Thomson: 2, 42.
Reader Comments(0)