The end of the fourth quarter of the Cambridge Bears football game was unexpectedly quiet, likely because the Bears held the lead and fans, cheerleaders and band were all holding their collective breath in hopes this wasn't too good to be true. It was true and the Bears WON their first game of the season, 41-32, and what a thriller it was for the first home opener of the year.
From the start of the evening there was plenty of noise! Special home-opener celebrations included music by Cambridge student rock bands and tailgating in the parking lots, and Cambridge Crazies going crazy, in their red, white and blue body paint and garb. With the entrance by the Cambridge players through the packed main seating area, players and fans alike felt the magic of the night begin. The adrenalin was building and carried right in to the first offensive drive when sophomore JD White returned the kickoff for 32 yards. Brian Moore came roaring out with quick release passes to Christian Johnston for 5 yards and John Hurst for 4 yards. Energy flowed in a screen pass from Moore to White for 8 yards and a first down which set up a successful Bears field goal by junior Clayton Hammer. The tone of the game was set, putting Cambridge on the scoreboard first. Zeke Gormley provided an exciting play early in the first quarter with a near red zone interception. The crowd could feel the adrenalin. A punt by Hunter Smith was touched by Pope and Ryder Deaton quickly dove on it to recover possession for the Bears. The excitement was electric and continued with a pass reception by Johnston. Driving hard, QB Moore scrambled for a 1 yard gain and next he executed a beautiful 17 yard pass play to John Hurst, who once again made for a solid QB-receiver duo with 8 significant pass completions on the night. Second score on the board also belonged to the Bears with a 30 yard field goal kick by Hammer. Bears led the entire first quarter. A fumble recovery, a short pass to Johnston, a 5 yard gain by White, a QB keeper and a TD pass from Moore to Johnston made the score 12-0. Pope answered with a touchdown to keep the Bears humble.
A standout defender of the night with key tackles left and right and excellent defensive pressure causing a big pass incompletion was Nathan Kish. A blocked PAT by Kryshna Tanksley helped keep the score close in the 2nd quarter. A Pope interception and 2 TDs switched the leader board to Pope 26, Cambridge 12. Undaunted, JD White ran back one kickoff for 49 yards and the second for a 60 yard return to let the Greyhounds know the Bears were not going to roll over or make it easy for them. After several QB keepers, on 4th down and 2 to go, Moore executed a gutsy play call with a pass completion to Kyle McDougall for a huge first down with less than 2 minutes to the half. Even after Moore took a hard hit, he was able to hand off to the ever-ready, multi-talented, AJ Campbell who rushed for a touchdown. Point after try by Hammer was good.
"Kish makes the tackle," heard repeatedly over the PA system, was indicative of his defensive effort Effective team work with Nick Oakes and the defensive line held Pope to 26. An interception by C. Johnston and a 20 yard gain, set up one more field goal attempt by Hammer, adding 3 points to the energy Cambridge could take in to the half with a close score of 26-22. The Cambridge Marching Band put on an excellent performance to match the enthusiasm of the night.
Determined to take back the lead after half time, Bears came out with 3 back-to-back pass completions, two from Moore to Johnston then Moore to McDougall. With a heck of an effort by Moore, despite being banged up, he ran 10 yards for a first down, connected again with Campbell, Hurst, and McDougall. Moore eked out the inches needed to get a first down which led to a 10 yard pass play to Hurst for an impressive touchdown. Score 29-26 Bears.
The first quarter highlight plays belonged to the offense. The fourth quarter highlights belonged the defense, who only gave up 3 points in the fourth quarter. Josh Kania made his presence known in a big way with a blocked extra point on the next Pope touchdown and a fumble recovery on the 27 yard line. More great defense by Kish and Oakes stopped the Pope offense. Ryder Deaton tackled for a Pope loss. The crowd was ecstatic as they sensed the smell victory. With 6 minutes left on the clock, Deaton and defensive end Mark Phillips kept the pressure on the QB forcing an incomplete pass and causing frustration for the Pope offense. Bears next possession saw a very determined Moore, in a QB keeper, break multiple tackles for a 16 yard gain. That's when the crowd went quiet. The Bears worked their way to 3rd down and goal, a QB sneak scored the crowning touchdown to give the Bears a 41-32 lead. Even though the Bears were done scoring for the night, they finished strong to the last minute to ensure no further Pope scoring. A squib kick by Hammer that was tough to handle for the Pope returner ended up a fumble recovered by the aggressive Kish and the fast Dashun Soto, with a minute left on the clock. Pope's next possession was short lived due to an interception by Zeke Gormley who put his final stamp on the game to give Bears an exciting finish to an exciting game.
Coach Craig Bennett said after the game that "This was the best team we've played this year. Brian Moore played his heart out and it was really a team effort." Coach said he was really proud of the team and it was a great night! He added, "when the other schools' scout our team this week, they are going to see our depth in receivers and that this was a team win."
Next week's away game is against Region 7A competitor, Northview High School, Friday, October 4th.
Go Bears!
