Bears Roll 54-38 over Bombers

Wed, 11/09/2016 - 9:29am — John Embry

BCHS Principal Michael Gruber presents BCHS football head coach Ryan Emmick with a district runner-up trophy

The Butler Co. Bears won convincingly over the Ballard Memorial Bombers at home 54-38, in the first round of the Class 2A State playoffs. The final score was really no indication of the game, as the Bears scored on their first five possessions in the first half taking a commanding 35-13 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The Bears defense forced a quick punt on the Bombers opening drive of the game. The Bears took over and the opening drive went fifty-seven yards in eight plays with QB Rex Henderson scoring from ten yards out; the Logan Richardson kick was good. Bears led 7-0 with 7:56 in the first quarter of play. The Bears may have crossed up the Bombers and came out running the football. The Bears first fifteen offensive plays were all runs. The one two punch of Henderson and Jr. running back Houston Hampton proved very effective throughout the night.

The Bears pushed the lead to 14-0 on a thirty yard run by Henderson. The Richardson kick good with 3:21 left in the first. The Bears next possession drove the ball seventy-five yards in only four plays; the big play of the drive a sixty-two yard run by Hampton. Junior running back Ty Smith got the call two plays later and ran in from ten yards out. The Richardson kick good; 21-0 Bears with 11:13 in the second quarter of play.

The Bombers finally got on the board on their next possession making the score 21-6; but the Bears fired right back in only two plays. On the Bears fourth possession of the half a Henderson to junior wide out Brenden Shanklin pass/catch covered fifty-two yards for the touchdown. Kick good Bears led 28-6 with 8:40 to go in the first half of play.

The Bears on a fifth possession scored again, going seventy-two yards on nine plays. The touchdown pass was a Henderson to junior wide out Gage Ward from twenty-three yards out. Kick good, Bears led 35-6 with 2:58 left in the half. The Bombers would score again as the half came to an end but still trailing 35-13 at intermission.

The Bears took the opening kickoff in the third quarter going fifty-one yards in nine plays. Ty Smith got the call again inside the red zone and ran for the score from nine yards out. The Richardson kick good, 42-13 Bears with 7:28 left to play in the third quarter of play.

The Bears Defense continued to slam the door shut on the Bombers offense in the second half. The Bears added to the lead on its next possession, going eighty-two yards in only four plays. Henderson on a QB scramble raced sixty-four yards for the touchdown run; the kick was blocked 48-13 in the third quarter of play.

The fourth quarter took a twist and turn; the Bears mishandled an onside kick, and lost two fumbles on back to back drives. The Bombers took advantage and put together several scores but it was too little too late.

The Bears settled and found composure and on the seventh possession of the second half drove sixty yards on eight plays for the final score of the night. An eight yard run by Henderson, the kick was no good but the Bears led 54-38 with 2:00 left to play in the game.

The Bears put together a run first approach on the night, and only threw the ball a total of thirteen times. Note below the game stats. The Bears now advance to the 2nd round of the KHSAA Class 2A State playoffs and will travel to play the Mayfield Cardinals, Friday Nov. 11th. Kickoff has been sent for 7 p.m.

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Butler/Ballard Memorial Playoff Game

Butler Offensive Game Stats*

Fri. Nov. 4/ 1st Round

Butler Offense By Possessions

1st Poss- 8 plays/TD

2nd Poss-4 plays/TD

3rd Poss- 4 plays/TD

4th Poss- 2 plays/TD

5th Poss-9 plays/TD

6th Poss-4 plays/ over on downs

Halftime Bears 35-13