The Cambridge Bears football team had an exciting defensive start to the season opener at opponent Riverwood's home field on Friday, August 30th.
Consecutive solid plays from senior defender, Kryshna Tanksley and the Cambridge defense, kept the Raiders from gaining any early ground. The energy on the field was contagious, and the crowd was on its feet when the Cambridge offense took the field. Notable running back, sophomore, JD White, a key player who was instrumental in significant advances up the field throughout the night, started Cambridge off with a 13 yard hand off run for the first of his multiple first downs in the game. After several more attempts, Cambridge was unable to convert, and a booming punt from junior Hunter Smith gave the Cambridge defense good field position.
The Bears' defense continued to look strong, with senior AJ Campbell, and junior Brock Nielson breaking up several potentially big plays for the Raiders. However, a strong running game from the Raiders QB, and difficulty with penalties, gave the Raiders the first down they needed to score. The quarter ended with Cambridge primed to answer the Raiders with a touchdown of their own. An 8 yard run by JD White, a hand off from Brian Moore to Campbell for 12 yards, and a well-coined "QB Scamper" for 21 yards brought Cambridge to the 3 yard line. That was as far as they went, and despite a tackle behind the Raider line by #13, Nick Oakes, Cambridge went scoreless into halftime against the Raiders' 17-0.
Re-energized after a tough first half, the Bear offensive gave Moore time to complete a pass to Campbell for a 25 yard play, rekindling the crowds enthusiasm. Further adding to the fire, a 4 yard QB keeper, and consecutive rushes by sophomore JD White brought about another 1st down. A turnover to Riverwood on the next play triggered Head Coach Craig Bennett to bring in speedy senior, Dashun Soto. Soto was able to catch the talented and fast Riverwood QB, on a what looked like a breakaway that everyone thought was going to score. Dashun clearly thought otherwise, wowing the crowd with the tackle. Unfortunately, Riverwood scored on the next play bringing the score to a distant but recoverable 24-0.
The Bears did not give up. The offense enabled a 26 yard punt return by the much used JD White. An injury brought White out after withstanding some major hits earlier in the game. In the following drive, QB Moore, who had some difficulty running the offense without JD White, ran the next three plays, scampering down the field for gains of 9, 6, and 11 yards and two first downs. A hand off, followed by an option-pitch to Campbell brought the Bears to a third first down in the drive. Definitely an improvement over last year, but unfortunately nothing came of the down-the-field march. A few missed field goal attempts, and the Bears went into the 4th quarter scoreless.
Cambridge continued to battle and with 25 seconds left on the clock, an outstanding fumble recovery by #23, defensive back, Craig Carter was the highlight of the 4th quarter, and for the Cambridge fans, the entire game. An impressive run for the length of the field resulted in Carter's end of game touchdown, and a point after kick by junior Clay Hammer put the Bears on the scoreboard. A highlight finish to a hard fought game. Final score was 30-7.
Next week's BYE will give the Cambridge coaches and athletes the chance to evaluate, regroup, and continue to develop and ready the depth of players that Cambridge is beginning to show on the sidelines.
The team will be back in action the following week fighting for a win at South Forsyth, Friday, September 13th.
Go Bears!!
