On Friday night, October 31st, at a chilly and gusty Bulldog Stadium, the Cambridge Bears were led by senior quarterback Brian Moore. Moore helped the Bears to a 35-21 win over the host Forsyth Central Bulldogs team. The win was instrumental as it puts Cambridge in the region Nov. 7th play-In game next Friday night at Bear Stadium against Creekview. The loss officially eliminated the Bulldogs from state playoff competition.
The game was not only important for the Bears for obvious reasons, but there was a special significance for head coach Craig Bennett and his brother, offensive coordinator Chris Bennett. Coach Bennett played football for the Bulldogs and his brother, Chris, was their head coach 2 years ago.
The Bulldogs now look to finish their season with 6 wins next week to give them a winning record for the season. Key squib kicks by the Bears proved to be difficult for the Bulldogs to handle in the gusty conditions. It was clear that the Bears were winning the special teams battle.
Cambridge's first score came on a long TD pass from Brian Moore to JD White to put the Bears up 6-0 at the 8:26 mark of the 1st quarter. The PAT was good by kicker Clayton Hammer.
Central's first touchdown drive was proof of what could have been had the Bulldogs recovered the Bears' short kickoffs. The Bulldogs took over possession at their own 46, and on second-and-20, Sabrian Howard (10 carries, 120 yards) took off down the right sideline for a 55-yard gain. On third-and-goal, Noah Aguirre took a reverse handoff and strolled in for a 10-yard touchdown.
Cambridge jumped back in front on a 3-yard Brock Nielson run and Craig Carter recovered the ensuing kickoff at the Central 41, but the Bulldogs held firm. Pierce Nufer sacked Moore (18-for-24, 286 yards, two touchdowns; 22 carries, 84 yards, two touchdowns) for a 9-yard loss on first down. One play later, Moore threw a backwards pass to receiver Hunter Smith (four catches, 45 yards), and Aguirre and Cedrick Dorsey recovered just in bounds.
Moore led the Bears on a 10-play, 80-yard drive that ate up nearly five and a half minutes just before halftime. The senior ran for 36 yards and threw for 31 more and scrambled right to score from 11 yards out and put Cambridge up 21-7. With his 286-yard performance, Moore topped 2,000 passing yards (2,020) on the season.
Cambridge's JD White (seven catches, 151 yards, two touchdowns) was a handful for Central all night. The junior wide receiver hauled in an 81-yard touchdown from Moore for the Bears' first touchdown, then took a swing pass 22 yards, running over a Central defensive back, for what would be the deciding touchdown early in the third quarter.
The last Cambridge score came on a 13 yard run by quarterback Brian Moore with 4:30 to play in the 4th quarter to put the Bears up 34-21. The PAT was good.
Central quarterback Trey Abercrombie scored two second-half touchdowns, each on sneaks from the 1-yard line. Howard was instrumental in the Bulldogs' scoring drives before exiting with an undisclosed injury early in the fourth quarter.
Final score: Bears 35, Bulldogs 21
Next Friday, Nov. 7th, Cambridge will host Creekview, the No. 2 seed from Region 7-AAAAA, Division A for a spot in the state playoffs.
Come out and support your Cambridge Bears!
