Impressive
Key defensive plays propel Bears to victory over Indians

Chad Wilson Photo Brownsboro Junior Charlie Stringer pulls down Jacksonville quarterback Paxton Lindsey after a gain of a yard. Brownsboro's defense held the Indians to 42 rushing yards and 173 total yards of offense.

With a new offensive formation, a new quarterback and several new starters on both offense and defense the Bears accomplished something last season's team could not, defeating the Class 4A Jacksonville Indians.

Friday night at the historic Tomato Bowl in Jacksonville the Bears waited out the Indians pregame ritual of the burning "J" to begin the 2007 season with a surprise of their own.

Jacksonville was the heavy favorite to win the game and in some accounts predicted to blowout the Bears.

Brownsboro was ready for the Indians with an impressive display of both offensive and defensive power. After four quarters of hard hitting action the Bears rolled to a 20-9 victory over the Indians.

Following a scoreless first quarter the Bears wasted little time in the second as on the first play of the quarter sophomore Zach Bailey hit Tristian Warren for a 15 yard touchdown pass.

Cameron Warren races around Jacksonville defenders during Friday night's 20-9 victory. Chad Wilson Photo

The Bears defense forced the Indians into a three and out on the following possession setting the offense up in good field position.

Starting from their own 36 yard line the Bears pulled out some trickery as Collin Wilson gained 16 yards on a wide receiver reverse. Five plays later the Bears were once again in the Indians redzone.

On second down from the Indians 11 yardline Zach Bailey dropped back for a pass and was blindsided by a Jacksonville defender.

The hit, Bailey's hardest hit of the young season, forced him to lose the ball and the Indians recovered the fumble.

Senior Ryan Epperson was quick to return the ball back to the Bear offense as he forced Jacksonville's Frankie Almendarez to fumble a screen pass. Trisitian Warren recovered the ball for the Bears.

Despite starting in great field position, the Indians 19 yardline, the Bears turned the ball over for the second consecutive series.

Chad Wilson Photo In his first Varsity game Sophmore Zach Bailey passed for 174 yards completing 56% of his passes.

Jacksonville was forced to punt on the ensuing possession but regained possession of the ball after Brownsboro could not field the punt.

With a new breath of life from the Bears 35 yardline the Indians needed just two plays to tie the game as Paxton Lindsey connected with Chris Hall on an eight yard pass.

The teams traded lengthy possessions in the third quarter but entered the fourth and final quarter tied at seven.

Third quarter highlights included a 13 yard pass from Bailey to Andrew Adair, a 31 yard pass from Bailey to Jerqualyn Dora and a sack by Jose Hernandez.

After facing turnover problems in the second quarter the Bears forced several Jacksonville turnovers in the fourth quarter beginning with the Indians first drive of the quarter.

Lindsey was intercepted by David Rudd just outside of the Indian 40 yardline. Rudd's interception led to six points as the Bears drove 61 yards on 11 plays scoring on a one yard run by Cameron Warren.

Tyler Smith's extra point attempt was blocked by the Indians and returned 98 yards by Colten McCown for two points.

Down 13-9 the Indians started their next possession on the Bears 48 yardline after a 30 yard kickoff return by Jonathan Brown of the Indians.

On third and long the Indians were forced to go to the air and Brownsboro sophomore Tyler Rogers was waiting. Rogers intercepted the Lindsey pass halting the Indian drive.

Gaining just one yard on three plays the Bears were forced to punt with 3:45 left in the game.

Jacksonville returner Jimmy Gray bobbled the punt reception before losing control of the ball. After the officials sorted through the pile of players it was the Bears Cameron Warren who recovered the fumble.

Warren would not rest and on the very next play he raced 29 yards for the touchdown on the Bears first play from scrimmage. Smith converted the extra point to give the Bears a 20- 9 lead with 3:32 left to play.

The Indians comeback hopes were quickly spoiled as Brownsboro's Andrew Adair intercepted a Lindsey pass and returned it 40 yards before being tackled inside the Indians' redzone.

With 3:08 to play the Bears earned the first down on a three yard run by Ryan Epperson before taking a knee and allowing the time to expire.

Overall the Bears totaled 292 yards of offense, 174 passing and 118 rushing.

In his first varsity game Bailey completed 18 of 32 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 9.6 yards per pass.

Cameron Warren led the Bears in rushing with 83 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns. He also caught three passes for 25 yards.

Jerqulayn Dora led the Bears in receiving with 4 receptions for 58 yards.

Brownsboro held Jacksonville to 173 total yard of offense, 42 rushing and 131 passing. Jacksonville averaged 2.6 yards per carry. Overall the Bears forced four turnovers.

This Friday the Bears (1-0) will travel to Mount Vernon with game time scheduled for 7:30pm. Last season the Bears beat the Tigers 25-13 in Brownsboro. Mt. Vernon beat Lone Oak 35-34 last week.