Even though football games consist of a number of series of downs, there are usually just a couple plays that are key to winning or losing. On Friday night, Bedford found themselves down 12-6 as the minutes ticked away during the second quarter, and they needed some big plays to convert before halftime.
Bedford’s receiver Jaylon Clark had just made another highlight-reel play, tipping-toeing up the right sidelines for a 22-yard touchdown, and it finally looked like the Bearcats got the spark they needed to get things going. The first half up until that point had seen Bedford starting each drive with poor field position and suffering from a number of three-and-out series.
After Clark’s score, Bedford kicked the ball off to Maple, and the Bearcats’ special teams stuffed the return man at Maple’s 30-yard line. On the ensuing series of downs, the Mustangs were held by the Bearcats to only four yards, and they had to punt. The Bearcats’ defense, led by a key tackle from Chazz Hunter, shut Maple down, and they were able to get the offense back on the field with about three minutes left in the half.
The Bearcats found themselves with momentum and the ball in Mustangs territory, and they had the opportunity to tie or go ahead at halftime. Bedford began pushing the ball into Maple territory, and a run by quarterback Raymell Hester brought the ball down to the Maple 18-yard line and a first-and-10. Bedford proceeded to get two yards on first down, an incomplete pass on second, and no gain on a run on third.
With about a minute left in the half, and a fourth-and-8 on the 16, Bedford decided to go for it. They ran a crossing pattern to receiver Malik Simmons, and he appeared to be open, but the pass was a little behind him, and it fell incomplete. Bedford went into halftime down by six after missing out on a chance to score, but they seemed to be figuring out how to move the ball on Maple, which was a good sign. The Mustangs, however, would be receiving the ball after the break.
Unfortunately for the Bearcats, for the second week in a row, they gave up points early in the second half. Maple got the ball at the 50-yard line after their kick-off touchdown return was called back because of a penalty. Still, it was only three plays later when wide receiver Keith Allen snagged a catch for a 44-yard touchdown. After the two-point conversion, the Mustangs led 20-6.
Bedford once again found themselves deep in their own territory after the kickoff, starting on their own 6-yard line. They ran a beautiful fake hand-off for a 24-yard gain, but were able to do little more after that and had to punt again. Maple turned the ball over on the next play from scrimmage when Bedford’s Tyler Craft tipped a pass and it was intercepted by Donte Thomas. The Bearcats had the ball on the Maple 45-yard line and had some hope. They moved it down to the 39, but on a fourth-and-four the Mustangs intercepted the ball back.
The Mustangs began to drive again as the third quarter was ending, and had a first-and-10 on Bedford’s 32-yard line, when the Bearcats defense rose up again. Maple fumbled the snap on first down, setting up at second-and-21 from the 43. A sack by Malik Simmons made it third-and-33 on Maple’s 45-yard-line. After a 8-yard-gain on third down, Maple was forced to punt on fourth-and-25.
With a quarter left, and down by 14 points, time started to become more of a factor for Bedford. After the punt by Maple, the Bearcats had the ball at first-and-10 on their 18-yard line. They gained two yards on first play of the series, and had a passed tipped on the second. On third-down quarterback Hester threw a strike to a wide-open receiver crossing the middle that was dropped that might have gone for six. Bedford was still able to convert on fourth and get another first down after that, but ended up giving the ball over on downs at midfield. Maple Heights scored once more to make the final tally 26-6.
In its first two games of the season, Bedford had shown that its offense has the capability to be high-powered once it gets going. Maple Heights’ special teams with their kicking and coverage gave Bedford a long field almost every time they got the ball and seemed to keep them off-balance most of the game. Bedford showed flashes of their potential explosiveness, but most of the time they were kept in check.
According to arbiterlive.com, the The Bearcats (1-2) will play their next game at home against Shaker Heights (1-1) on Thursday Sept. 17 at 7 p.m.
