Smooth Sailing
Bears upend Cardinals 45-7
By Chad Wilson Editor

Chad Wilson Photo Brownsboro quarterback Zack Bailey stiffarms a Sabine defender on a draw play last Friday night in Sabine. Bailey completed 77% of his passes for 314 yards.

The first half was closer than head coach John Settle would have liked, but in the end the Bears blew past the Sabine Cardinals 45-7 last Friday night in Sabine.

Sabine, playing in front of a capacity crowd for homecoming ceremonies, managed to hang with the Bears in the first quarter and part of the second.

Brownsboro's first score of the game came on defense as Sabine fumbled the ball on their own two yard line. The fumble was created by Ethan Newell and recovered for the score by Charlie Stringer.

Leading 6-0 after the missed extra point attempt, the Bears scored with 9:05 left in the first half on a pass from Zack Bailey.

Bailey connected with Jerqualyn Dora on a 49 yard pass for the score. Dora leaped over a Sabine defender to make the grab, pulling in the best catch of the night. The two-point conversion attempt was no good.

Chad Wilson Photo Collin Wilson evades a Sabine defender enroute to a touchdown, his second of the game.

Sabine would not go away as easy as some thought as Jason Smith returned the ensuing kickoff 27 yards before scoring on a 36 yard pass from quarterback Josh Herrod.

Leading 12-7 Brownsboro stepped on the gas as they went into a hurry up offense. The result was a six yard touchdown run by Ryan Epperson to increase the Bears lead to 19-7 after the extra point by Tyler Smith.

After the half the Bears returned to the playing field and quickly extinguished any hopes of the Cardinals picking up their first win of the season on Homecoming.

On the Bears first play of the half Bailey connected with Collin Wilson on a short screen pass. Wilson displayed his speed as he rushed past Sabine defenders 55 yards for the score. Smith's extra point attempt was good increasing the Bears lead to 26-7.

With 11:41 on the clock the Cardinals took possession of the ball in the third. After a 15 play, four minute drive the Bears forced Sabine to turn the ball over on downs.

Chad Wilson Photo Ryan Epperson and Seth Martin dish out a hard hit on Cardinal quarterback Josh Herrod in the second half of last Friday night's game in Sabine.

Brownsboro needed just two minutes to drive 79 yards as Bailey connected with Keith Johnson twice before David Rudd broke free on a 64 yard touchdown run.

Trailing 32-7 Sabine held possession of the ball for the remainder of the half before the Bears stopped the Cardinals on fourth and goal early in the fourth quarter.

In the third quarter Sabine's best defense against the Bears was their offense. The Cardinals offense held possession of the ball for 10 minutes of the 12 minute quarter. Each time the Bears had the ball they scored, quickly.

Once the Bears received the ball in the fourth quarter they kept their quick scoring alive as Bailey connected with Wilson once again.

Bailey hit Wilson on a deep pass across the middle (seen above) that resulted in a 67 yard touchdown. Smith's extra point was good giving the Bears a 39-7 lead.

The Brownsboro defense put the exclamation mark on the Bears win with 8:25 left in the game as Tristian Warren intercepted a Herrod pass returning it 55 yards for the touchdown.

Two plays into the Cardinals ensuing possession the Bear defense forced a fumble that was recovered by Brownsboro's Jared Bray.

Overall the Bears gained 434 yards of offense, 330 in the air and 104 on the ground. Sabine was held to 253 total yard of offense, 64 on the ground and 189 through the air.

Zack Bailey passed for 314 yards on 17 of 22 completions (77%) with three touchdowns. He also rushed for 12 yards on six carries.

Bailey connected with 8 different receivers in the game and had seven straight completions over the first and second quarter. He finished the game with five straight completions for 150 yards and two scores.

Brad McDonald complete a pass to Jeremy Monroe for 16 yards.

Leading the Bears in rushing was Rudd with 76 yards on three carries. Epperson carried the ball seven times for 41 yards. Both scored once.

Wilson led the Bears in receiving yards with 123 on three receptions while Keith Johnson led the Bears in receptions with five for 49 yards. Jerqualyn Dora pulled in two passes for 73 yards.

On defense the Bears forced four turnovers and scored two touchdowns. Brownsboro held the Cardinal rushing attack to 2.4 yards per carry on 27 attempts.

This Friday night the Bears (3-1) will host the Rains Wildcats (1-2). Game time is scheduled for 7:30pm. Last season the Bears defeated Rains 17-7.

In District 14-3A the Bears are tied for first place with Chapel Hill, Van and Bullard. Athens and Canton are both 2- 2 on the season.

Brownsboro opens District play with Van on October 12 following a bye week on October 5.