Beech Tree News Network

In a must win Class 2A District matchup the Todd Co./Butler Co. game provided plenty of anxious moments till the final seconds ticked off. The Bears come away with a heart stopping 25-23 win, and more important kept the postseason playoff hopes alive. The loss for Todd Co. all but eliminated the Rebels from postseason play in November.

Both teams got off to shaky starts fumbling away their respective opening drives resulting in turnovers. Todd Co. on their second possession put together a nine play, sixty-three yard drive capped off by Rebel QB Bryce Shanklin scoring on the twenty-four yard QB draw play, the extra point kick good. Todd Co.  7-0 led with 4:51 remaining in the first quarter of play. The Bears responded with a drive of  their own that stalled at midfield; on fourth and seven a breakdown in the punting game by the Bears resulted in a -12 negative yard punt recovered by the Rebels with great field position, and unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against the Bears on the play gave Todd Co. even better position. But the Bears defense in the redzone came up big and forced a three and out for the Rebel offense. The thirty-seven yard field goal attempt was no good.

The Bears then put together a ten play drive covering eighty yards, with RB Jake Martin scoring on a twenty-eight yard run. The drive was a good mix of run and pass; and Martin made a great run to finish off the drive. The point after kick was good by replacement kicker Corey Johnson; score 7-7 with 9:53 remaining in the first half of play.

The Rebels drove the ball and threatening to retake the lead when on third and seven for the Rebels, safety Elijah Flener intercepted a Shanklin pass and race eighty-six yards for the pick six interception touchdown. The extra point no good, Bears lead 13-7 with 6:45 left in the half.     The Rebels next possession was a twelve play drive covering forty-one yards deep in the redzone; but on fourth and seven the Rebels would have to settle for a twenty-three yard field goal by William Fox which was good. Score now read 13-10, Bears still in the lead with 1:17 left in the half. The Bears last possession of the first half ended in an interception closing out the first half of play, Bears leading 13-10 at the break.

The second half of play the weather took a turn, feeling very fall like; as fans, had to pull out the jackets, umbrellas and ponchos.  At game time the temperature was in the 70’s; the second half saw a northern wind kick up, rain, and the temps fell into the 50’s the remainder of the night. The third quarter of action the Bears opening drive went three and out; the Rebels again put together an eleven play drive and appeared ready to take the lead back; but the Rebels again with a fourth and ten situation attempted a twenty-eight yard field goal that was no good. This came at the 4:40 mark in the third quarter of play. Bears took over and covered eighty yards in only six plays; on second and ten from the forty-four; QB Flener broke free and raced 44yds for the touchdown, the two point conversion run failed; but the Bears extended the lead to 19-10 with 3:19 left in the third quarter of play.

The Rebels next possession ended in a punt and the Bears were driving again in the fourth quarter; but on third and twenty-seven a Flener pass was intercepted by a Todd Co. lineman at the 8:50 mark remaining in the game. The Rebels took advantage of the turnover and drove 66 yards on 9 plays as fullback Brosnan Massey bulled his way in on first and goal from the four yard line for the touchdown, the kick was no good; but now the score read 19-16 Bears only leading by three with 6:20 left in the game. The Bears next drive found them facing a third and ten and a wide open WR Walker Weathers made the catch and raced twenty-eight yards across midfield for a first down keeping the drive alive. RB Jake Martin rumbled for another 28 yds on the next play. On first and ten from the twenty QB Flener scrambled twenty yards for the rushing touchdown the kick good; Bears lead 25-16 with 4:15 left to play.

The Todd Co. Rebels went to the air on the next possession as Rebel QB Bryce Shanklin went 5 for 5 passing and drove the Rebels 65 yards all passes. The drive was capped off by a 14 yard pass to William Fox for the touchdown, the kick was good. Score now 25-23 Bears by two with 3:10 still left to play.

The onside kick by the Rebels was recovered by the Bears at midfield; the Bears would attempt to run out the clock. The Rebels had to burn all their timeouts in an effort to get the ball back, and were successful. With 0:17 seconds left to play the Bears did punt the ball back to the Rebels but it was too little, too late as the game ended, final score Bears 25  Todd Co. 23.

Head Coach Ryan Emmick, had praise for the Bears offensive line for the most explosive running game to date. The Bears on the Fall Break week get a much needed win over district foe Todd Co. This brings the Bears now overall to 5-3 on the season; and now eyeing a showdown at home with Hancock Co. on Friday, October 19. This again, will be another key district game with playoff implications as to seeding in the postseason playoffs that begin in November.

Here is a look at the numbers inside the game. The Bears have an open date, and the bye week, there is no game this Friday, October 12.
                                       Butler Co.                 Todd Co.
First Downs                       14                             17
Yds. Rushing                    234                         209
Yds. Passing                    156                          164
Total Offense                    390                         373
Total # Plays                      57                           58
Interceptions                        2                             1
Fumbles Lost                       1                             1
Total Turnovers                    3                            2
Penalties                         8/74 yds                   7/65 yds
Time of Possession          19:00                     29:00
BCHS Rushing Stats:    
Flener-   18 carries/ 134 yds  (2TD)
Martin-   12 carries/ 119 yds  (TD)

BCHS Receiving Stats:
Woodcock-  2 catches/ 27 yds
Weathers-    3 catches/ 60 yds
Martin-         2 catches/ 18 yds
Havens-       4 catches/ 17 yds
Moore-         2 catches/ 15 yds
Embry-         1 catch/  11 yds
Johnson-      1 catch/ 8 yds

BCHS Passing Stats:
Flener-      15 completions/ 24 attempts/  156 yards/   (2 INT)   (0 TD)