The Cambridge Bears varsity football team kept the score close for 3 quarters but went on to lose to Sprayberry in a disappointing ending, 31-7, Friday, October 10th.
Starting out, the Bears looked sharp as Quarterback Brian Moore found the multi-talented JD White for a 6-yard pass completion. On the next play, White rushed for a first down. After that, a slew of penalties threw the Bears' game off track. The Bears' defense took the field and performed exceptionally well. Explosive tackling by Devin Kane, Michael Pellegrino and Trey Wolfe helped keep Sprayberry scoreless in the first quarter. Sprayberry put heavy duty pressure on QB Moore as the Bears' offense was unable to score. The two teams took turns punting after failed third down conversions. The punting was college-level quality as the Bears' Hunter Smith and Sprayberry's D-1 signee, R. Blankenship, executed their 4th down kicks.
It was the defense for both teams that was the highlight for the first half. Defender and senior Craig Carter knocked down a pass and Chase Darnell, who had an overall outstanding game, caused the Yellow Jacket QB to fumble which limited Sprayberry to a field goal attempt and 3 points. The Bears tried to answer when Moore, after a valiant attempt to evade Sprayberry defense, threw a long pass caught by Kyle McDougall, but the clock expired not allowing their own field goal attempt. So despite the Bears' defense really playing at full force, the half-time score was 3-0, Sprayberry. A sack by Trey Wolfe and some great tackling by Pellegrino and Josh Kania pushed their opponent back several times for a loss of yardage and had the crowd on both sides enjoying the exciting and close game.
In the third quarter, Carter, Kania and Brock Nielsen, continued to make some impressive tackles, which then gave the Bears' offense another opportunity for a scoring drive. Moore scrambled for a first down and followed with a 25-yard pass completion to Hunter Smith and a 9-yard pass to John Hurst. Another QB keeper for the first down, a 30 yard touchdown pass to Hunter Smith and extra point by Clayton Hammer, gave the Bears 7, but they were still down 10-7.
Craig Carter continued to pound defensively, and Charles Mills claimed a sack, yet Sprayberry started to pull away. The Bears' defense, who had played at full intensity for 3 quarters, showed visible signs of tiring. Although Moore completed another pass to Hurst and one to Smith, an interception foiled the drive and the Bears' offense was not able to produce any more points. Sprayberry dominated the 4th quarter and has been improving steadily since their season started. It was a disappointing loss for Cambridge.
Be sure to make plan for the Homecoming game, next Friday, October 17th at 7:30pm, here in Bear Country as Cambridge hosts region opponent, North Springs.
Come out and enjoy the all of the Homecoming festivities and cheer on your Cambridge Bears!
