Bearcats Fall to Number One Ranked Scrappers

BY RICK WRIGHT –

The Bearcats hosted the defending 4A State Champion, number one ranked, undefeated Nashville Scrappers Friday in Bearcat Stadium. Nashville defeated Mena 42-7.

Mena’s Christian Lua kicked off to get the game underway. The kick was returned to the Mena 42 yard line. Two plays later, the Scrappers scored on a 37 yard touchdown at the 11:24 mark. The extra point made the score 7-0.

After the kickoff, the Bearcats started at their own 20. Four plays later, Mena punted on fourth and 10, to the Nashville 22 yard line. The Scrappers march to the Mena 11 in seven plays to face a third down and six yards to go. Nashville attempted a pass into the endzone that was intercepted by Mena’s Cross Hughes who returned the pick to the Bearcat 45 yard line. A personal foul, on the play, against the Scrappers moved the ball to the Nashville 42.

The Bearcats advanced the ball to the Scrapper’s 14 yard line in eight plays where Mena fumbled on second and seven. Nashville recovered the loose ball at the Scrapper 21 yard line.

Nashville marched 79 yards in seven plays to score on a five yard touchdown run. The extra point made the score 14-0.

The Bearcats started their final possession of the first quarter at their own 26. Mena punted on fourth and three to start the second quarter. Landon Stidman kicked the ball to the Scrapper 22 yard line.

Nashville drove 78 yards in six plays to score on a 20 yard touchdown run with 10:21 to play in the first half. With the extra point, the Scrappers led 21-0.

The Bearcats offense began their next possession at their own 20 yard line. After a holding penalty backed Mena up to their own eight yard line, the Scrappers intercepted a Bearcat pass at the Mena 29. Nashville scored eight plays later on a one yard touchdown run at the 6:54 mark. With the extra point Nashville led 28-0.

The Bearcats put together perhaps their best drive of the night, moving the ball from their own 27 to the Scrapper 36 in 11 plays. However, a bad snap saw the ball sail over Mena quarterback Carson Cannon’s head. Cannon recovered the ball back at the Mena 40 yard line to bring up a third and long. Cannon completed a pass to Ty Cole for a thirty yard gain to bring up a fourth and two. The Bearcats lost two yards on the fourth down attempt, turning the ball over to Nashville on downs at the Scrapper 32.

Three plays later, Nashville scored on 48 yard touchdown pass with 1:12 left in the first half. The extra point made the score 35-0.

The Mercy Rule was in affect for the second half.

The Bearcats received the kickoff to get the second half underway. Mena returned the kick to the 17 yard line. The Bearcats advanced the ball to the Scrapper 43 in six plays where on first and 10, Nashville intercepted a Mena pass and returned the pick to the Scrapper 45 yard line.

Four plays later, the Bearcats’ Elijah Snider intercepted a Scrapper pass and returned the ball to the Mena 36 yard line. Four incomplete passes led to a Mena punt on fourth and 10. Stidman kicked the ball to the Scrapper 20 yard line.

Three plays into the fourth quarter, Nashville scored on a 63 yard touchdown play with 10:22 to play in the game. The extra point made the score 42-0.

With 5:05 left in the game, the Bearcats got on the scoreboard on a Cannon to Ryan Ozanich 24 yard touchdown catch and run. Ozanich spun off two would be tacklers and fought his way into the endzone. Camden Brodersen kicked the extra point to set the final score at 42-7.

The Bearcats travel to Fountain Lake Friday, October 28th with the kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.

About Author