Head coach Shaun Bavaro and Bruin varsity football played their final game of the 2024 season taking on the 3-1 Douglas Knights, who made the long trip to the coast from Winston Friday night.
Douglas received the kick to start the game, and wasted no time hitting a 65 yard pass on a broken play after the Bruin defense pushed the Knights quarterback out of the pocket forcing a long desperate pass downfield that resulted in a 65 yard touchdown, to take a very early 0-7 lead.
The Bruins offense would take the following kick, and work the ball down the field before stalling and punting, giving the ball back to Douglas on their own 30 yard line. After a long 30 yard gain, the Bruin defense stopped the Douglas attack, taking over on downs.
The call would go to junior, #10, Owen Austin who would take the counter down the right sideline for a 60 yard touchdown to tie the score at 7-7.
The Bruins would force a fumble on the ensuing kick-off, starting their offense on the Knights 30 yard line after senior, Jonathan Devereaux, recovered the loose ball, setting up a 30 yard run to the endzone by senior running back, Kevin Hooper, #42, giving the Bruins a 14-7 lead with just over ten minutes left in the second quarter.
Douglas would then put together an over four minute 45 yard drive to tie the game once again at 14-14 at the five minute mark of the second quarter. The Bruins would then look to strike quickly forcing play before an interception would end their drive, turning the ball over to the Knights with just seconds left in the first half. Douglas would take a chance deep, hitting a 35 yard touchdown pass to end the first half with a 14-21 lead.
The Bruins received the kick-off to start the second half, fumbling on their own 28 yard line, turning the ball over to Douglas on the Bruins own 28 yard line.
The second half was packed with big hits, but it was also plagued with procedure flags and turnovers for the Bruins, setting up the Knights with good field position that Douglas would take advantage of, scoring two more times in the second half to take home the 14-35 win.
“We were in a lot games this year” coach Bavaro said after the game, “The kids battled until the end, our seniors have set us in the right direction to help us turn the corner, and we could not be more proud of how hard they all worked all year”
