Bears “Rocked Out” against the Cougars

By Staff, 09/30/17 1:34 AM

SPRING HILL- With the bear fans and the supportive student center cheering them on the Spring Hill Bears rocked out tonight at their home stadium against the Lafayette County Cougars. The game kicked off at 7 o’clock with the captains for the night being number 9, Parker Freeman and number 10, Ty Rosenbaum.

With the Cougars receiving the ball to start the game and a turnover on downs the Bears were ready to play.Payton Massanelli went to the left got the second down for the bears Lewis Chambers was then stopped in the back field. Keymonte Rhodes made a carry to the right to get the first down. Slade Cox moved the ball and received the 2nd down but was injured on the play and was escorted off the field. 2nd and sixth for the bears with a third down followed with a pass to Cameron Middleton with a gain of 5 yards getting a first down. With a turnover on downs the cougars were able to make their first touchdown and extra point kick of the evening. The kickoff was returned by Middleton, the next play was a pass to Middleton for a short gain. The Bears then gained 5 yards and had a fumble that was recovered by the cougars. Miller from Lafayette County made the second cougar touchdown that was followed with a field goal kick. Rusty Orr returned the kickoff to the 45 yard line. A blocking below the waist was called against the cougars allowing the Bears get a 10 yard gain. The bears had a pass get intercepted and brought back to the 26 yard line. Dustin Beck, Lewis Chambers, and Cannon Saunders made tough stops but the cougars started the second quarter off with a touchdown and extra point. The kickoff was out of bounds so the ball was placed a t the 35 yard line.Middleton made a play with a gain of eight yards.

After a turnover the bears were able to hold them and Drake Kidd intercepted the ball at the 30 yard line. Massanelli as quarterback keeper was able to gain several yards Rhodes was then able to get a 25 yard touchdown run and with an extra point kick being good the Bears were on the board. Lafayette County then had a fumble on a play that was recovered by the Bears allowing the bears to run it back for another touchdown.

After the half, the Bears came back out strong and ready to win. Middleton returned the kickoff to the 50 yard line. Rhodes then had a gain of 10 yards getting the first down followed with him running the ball scoring another Bear touchdown with the bears succeeding at a two point conversion made by Massanelli the 20-27 the cougars leading.

After receiving the ball the cougars couldn’t get past the Bears. With a fumble on the play that was quickly recovered by Rhodes who ran it back for an 80 yard touchdown run and a two point conversion the Bears were now in the lead 28-27. With a kickoff being returned to the 22 yard line that was stopped by Fletcher, the cougars then had another fumble that was recovered by the Bears at the 15 yard line but was later turned back over to the cougars on downs. With Orr making a stop at the 40 yard line with a face mask call was made against the bears, and an unsportsmanlike conduct call made against the cougars made the cougars upset. Another unsportsmanlike conduct was called against the cougars leaving their coach being ejected from the game, and making the penalties cost them 45 yards. The cougars were able to gain 25 yards then a pass was intercepted by Middleton. After getting to the fourth down and punting the ball back to the cougars the punt was fumbled and recovered by the bears.

With a turnover on downs after that the cougars were able to make one last touchdown for the night and a two point conversion but it wasn’t enough to win the game. The Bears won with the final score being 36-35.

Our thoughts and prayers are with injured bear, Slade Cox we hope you have a quick recovery.

The bears will play next Friday night, October 6 at their home field against the Mount Ida, Lions at 7 o’clock.