A Big Bear Score with 48 seconds left stops the Wildcat Rally!

 

The Wildcats took to the hill Saturday afternoon to face an undefeated Big Bear Bear football team. (6-0 record).  The Wildcats played the Bears tough until the final minute of the game, but came away just a little short at the end losing 34-20.  A Scott Proctor score with 48 seconds left in the game ended the Wildcats hopes of sending the game into overtime.  The Wildcats appeared to have stopped the bears with 2:25 remaining, and down only 27-20 in the game, but a inadvertent face mask call allowed the Bears to continue their game sealing drive. Proctor's score was set up by a 35 yard run on third and short taking the ball down to the Wildcat 4 yard line to seal the game.

 

 The Wildcats took the lead early in the second quarter 7 to 6 on a 95 yard scoring drive, set up by a key fourth down botched punt play.  Junior Punter Ben Weber connected with Senior Kyle Candalaria after a miscue on the punt, and Candalaia rambled 18 yards for a first down.  A 28 yard run from scrimmage by Junior fullback Arsenio Jones, set up a 1 yard touchdown pass play for Junior tight end Jason Luke.  Senior Qb Doc Edick threw two touchdowns on the day, including a dazzling 62 yard play to Junior Nicco Matthews, who continues to impress each week.  The Bears scored two touchdowns in the final 4 minutes of the second quarter thanks to a short field and a blocked punt.  The Bears took advantage of a interception an marched 50 yards for a score on a series of option plays.  With 2:47 left in the first half, a blocked punt set up an easy 1 yard scoring drive to make the score at half 21-7.  All year long the Cats have refused to go down easy, mounting a comeback which would keep the game close until the final 48 seconds.  A one yard plunge into the end zone by Ron Hampton with 4:34 to go in the game make the score 27-20 Bears.  The Wildcats dominated the offensive stats gaining over 400 yards of offense compared to the Bears 268 total yards. The Cats were hurt by 5 turnovers, including 2 tipped balls which wound up in the Bears hands deep in the red zone.  Key standouts for the Wildcats including Arsenio Jones who rushed for 115 yards on 13 carries.  Doc Edick passed for 203 yards and two touchdowns, and played a great game at defensive end recording 8 tackles.  Junior Middle Linebacker Jason Luke continues to lead the De Anza league in tackles, racking up 15 more on the day.  Senior Defensive Tackle Mike Pelz had 8 tackles and one Qb sack in a standout performance.

 

Coaches Comments:   We played much better this week, and had many chances to win this game.  A couple of bad breaks on tipped passes stopped two possible touchdown drives inside the Bear 15 yard line. A blocked punt also help to change the outcome, giving the Bears an easy score.  We played with a lot of heart throughout the game and we are proud of the kids efforts.  We must continue to improve the special teams game if we are to get back in the the playoff hunt.  We saw a big improvement in the secondary, holding the bears to only 47 yards in the air.

 

 

The road weary Wildcats finally finish up their brutal one month long road journey traveling to Desert Hot Springs Friday night.  Desert Hot Springs brings a 4-1 league record to the game, due in part to De Anza league leading running back Trelan Hunt.  The Golden Eagles feature a double wing offense with Hunt as the key weapon, but throw very effectively out the the tight formation.  The The Frosh-Soph game starts at 4:45 with the Varsity game at 7:30.