Bears win finale—Defense resilient

 

By Greg Moore

Banner Sports Editor

 

The Butler County Bears went over to face their neighboring-rival, the Ohio County Eagles, under the bright lights on a newly turfed field behind OCHS, in a battle of who would stay winless throughout the season this past Friday. On a cool night in which emotions stayed in-check for the most part, the officials still made it rain. Throughout, the Bears defense was too much for the Eagles, forcing three turnovers and a safety in the 21-7, flag-riddled, melee.

The Bears had to buckle down after the Eagles came out strong. The home team was picking up decent runs their opening drive. Ohio County, wearing navy, would drive all the way down inside the ten. But three straight Bears’ tackles for a loss brought on a missed field goal attempt and squandered the Eagles’ offense their best opportunity to score throughout the course of the fracas.

Lonnie Phelps gashed a bulky run while breaking tackles, which helped get into Ohio County territory on the Bears’ first possession of the game; however, a snap got out of reach and Garrett Phelps could not fall on it before a swarm of Eagles flew in to pounce.

The host team would move the ball back across midfield, but they would fumble it back to Butler County, who would eventually punt it back after stalling out. With the Eagles starting inside their own 30, Kevin Robins and Tucker DeJarnette got into their backfield for another loss on first and OC had a hold on second down; plus, Lonnie Phelps kept destroying the A-Gap to create false starts.

Backed up with the Eagles’ punter standing at his own goal line, the snap sailed out the back of the end zone for the first two points of the game. Then, the ensuing kickoff was taken to the house by Garrett Phelps. Brayden McKinney nailed the PAT and the Bears were up, nine-zip, just like that.

 

 

Butler County caused turnover-on-downs against the Eagles’ last two, meaningful opportunities in the first half. On offense, Lonnie Phelps made another good gain on a catch and run to set up Garrett Phelps, who capitalized on his second score, a seven-yard scamper with only seconds left in the first half. The two-point conversion failed; the Bears took a 15-0 lead into the locker rooms.

With Garrett Phelps already creating two touchdowns with his legs, he would find another through the air. A hook up with his fav, Kellon Meredith, a 31-yard strike on the Bears’ first possession of the second half.

 

 

Butler County’s faithful stayed packed on the west side of the field while the concrete bleachers found some Eagles fans starting to disperse. All the while, the Bears were thinking about clamping their paws down for the kill on prey; however, an on-side kick did not come close as an Eagles player fell on it. To go along with that, one of many personal fouls called on the night, was enforced after a not-so-friendly tap to make sure the player was down, giving some life to the Eagles, who were starting at the Bears’ 38-yard line, down three scores.

Playing with their ears pinned back, the mighty Bears plowed through the line of scrimmage and came off the edge to keep dropping Eagles behind the line of scrimmage. OC Blockers grabbed to hold the Bears’ fierce rush or they committed more false starts. This forced an Ohio County punt; unfortunately, the Bears would have their own three-and-out.

The Eagles kept clawing. After picking up a couple first downs and nearing the red zone, an Eagle was forcing Maddox Moore to set the edge on a run, as Moore did, the ball carrier pitched the ball to a trailing back. Instincts kicked in for Moore, he snatched the ball out of midair and raced the other way.

 

 

All momentum and a comfortable advantage, the Bears found themselves knocking on the door after Moore dashed down to the Eagles’ seven on a handoff. Garrett Phelps took a late hit going out of bounds and an Eagle was ejected. Possibly still woozy from the helmet to helmet on the Bears sideline, Phelps was sacked for a loss before throwing an interception that was returned for a touchdown.

Ohio County did recover an onside kick that bounced perfectly; however, the Bears recovered another fumble to help finish off the Eagles. The Bears went on to win by the final score, 21-7. This concludes the Bears season for 2024. These seniors will be missed tremendously from many standpoints. Expect Coach Robins to guide his staff and players during this offseason to become a future team to reckon with. Go Bears!