Coming off a stinging road loss last Friday to Coquille, the Bruins varsity football team was on the road once again, traveling to Sutherlin to take on the Sutherlin Bulldogs Friday evening.
Sutherlin received the opening kick-off and the Bruin defense set the tone early, stopping the first two Bulldog drives. Sutherlin also stopped the Bruins initial possession, however, it would be Sutherlin that would strike first, driving 72 yards in 8 plays for the only score in the first period, giving the Bulldogs a 0-7 with 8:40 left in the first period.
Excellent blocking from the Bruin front line helped the Bruins run game put together a long drive, getting down to the goal line. However, the drive would stall forcing a fourth down that the Bruins would go for and fail to convert, turning the ball over on downs, giving the ball to the Bulldogs deep in their own territory.
Sutherlin would then drive 92 yards and find the endzone early in the second quarter, giving the Bulldogs a 0-14 lead.
But the Bruins drive on their next possession, putting together a 9 play, 57 yard drive topped off with a senior quarterback, #12, Grady Maylin, 3 yard run putting the Bruins on the board, 7-14. But, with little time left in the first half, Sutherlin would get themselves in scoring position and convert a 13 yard touchdown pass to extend their lead to 7-21 with seconds left in the half.
A turnover would end a Bruin drive that opened the second half of play and the Bruin defense would step up, keeping the Bulldogs out of the endzone, giving the Bruins an opportunity to cut into the Sutherlin lead.
Late in the third period, the Bruins would find the endzone once again, sustaining a long drive that would end with a senior, #34, Jonathan Devereaux 2 yard dive into the endzone getting the Bruins within a touchdown at 14-21with 2:45 left in the third.
A Sutherlin fumble would create the turnover that the Bruins would exploit for more points, driving 63 yard, 11 play drive to tie the game at 21-21in the fourth.
Sutherlin would drive with 4:00 minutes left in the game, topping off the drive with a 24 yard run that would give the Bulldogs the late 21-28 lead.
The Bruin offense would then mount a final assault, putting together a long drive before stalling once again at the goal line, and failing to convert on a 4th and 23, turning the ball over to Sutherlin on downs, ending the game at 21-28, Suthelin.
“So proud of the kids effort tonight.” coach Bavaro said after the game. “These kids worked hard all week and it showed tonight, battling through some adversity giving themselves a chance there at end.”
The Bruins will be home next Friday evening, taking on the 0-2 South Umpqua Lancers with kick-off scheduled for 7:00pm.
