BHHS Bruins Host Sutherlin in Friday Nights Home Game Debut

September 23, 2023

After starting their 2023/24 season on the road, coach Bavaro and the Bruin boys varsity football team hosted their first home game of the season with the 1-2 Sutherlin Bulldogs making the long trip to the coast Friday night.

Senior Jalen Monkeman, #4, struggled under Sutherlin pressure and the elements.

The Bruins kicked to the Bulldogs to start the game, with the Bruins stopping the return and leaving the Bulldogs to start their opening drive on their own 30. The Bruin defense then came out and stuffed Sutherlins opening drive, forcing the Bulldogs into a three and out situation, and punting to the Bruins offense.

Junior defensive Back, Clayton Darios, #9, making the stop.

The Bruins would expose a weakness in the middle of the Sutherlin defensive line and break through into the Bulldog defensive backfield, gaining a first down before two penalties would end the drive, forcing the Bruins to punt the ball away.

Sophomore running back, Jonathan Devereaux, #34, running for extra yards after the catch.

Sutherlin would start their second drive from their own 35 and drive the length of the field before pushing the ball into the endzone on short dive play to take a 0-7 lead late in the first period.

Senior defensive back Aiden Peterson, #11, breaking up the pass at the goal line.

The Bulldogs would adjust to their interior defensive line and begin to slow the Bruin run game up the middle, forcing the Bruins to the edges or pass the ball for extra yards. But the Sutherlin defense asserted itself in the second period, shutting down two Bruin drives in the second period and scoring twice in the period to take a 0-21 lead into the locker room at the half.

Freshman, Owen Austin, #10, breaking tackles during the return.

The Bruins received the kick from the Bulldogs to start second half play and returned the ball to the Bulldog 43. Sutherlin continued from where the first half ended, shutting down the Bruin running game, pressuring the Bruin offensive backfield, forcing the Bruins into punt situations and giving the Bulldogs good field position to start their second half drives.

Sophomore linebacker, #13, Tristan Long, making the tackle.

Sutherlin would score twice in the third period before going on to score again in the fourth to take the 0-42 win back to Sutherlin. “We had some good drives going then we would have a breakdown” coach Bavaro said after the game. “To many mental errors tonight” he continued, “Kids played with great effort. We will continue to focus on the fundamentals, limit the self infecting wounds on both sides of the ball, and tackle better. We continue to see small improvements, and I’m proud of their effort.”