BOGUE CHITTO – Junior Germie Martin caughtthree pass for 74 yards and two scored two touchdowns as BogueChitto smothered the University Christian School Flames 21-18 tobegin Region 4-1A action Friday night on Troy Smith Field. TheBobcats (3-0, 1-0) rolled up 262 yards on offense.

    “This was a tough physical win for us,” said BC coach GarethSartin. “University Christian played hard and capitalized on ourmistakes. Overall, I am glad to get our first district win of theseason. This division is really tough and every win is big.

    “Now, we must regroup and work hard in practice on correcting ourmistakes as we prepare ourselves for our next district test againstMount Olive.”

    To begin the first quarter, Bogue Chitto struck quickly on theopening kickoff as junior Brandon Wells caught the ball at theone-yard line and sprinted 99 yards untouched to paydirt with 11:47remaining. Cameron Price went three-for-three on extra points forthe night.

    University Christian (0-2, 0-1) tied the game at 7-all on theiropening possession as they worked down the field and scored on a7-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Caleb Shufelt to Seth Peaceat the 7:55 mark. Dominic Sanderson was one-for-one on extra pointsfor the Flames.

     In the rest of the firstquarter, the Bobcats and Flames fought back-and-forth as fanswitnessed a potential rivalry between two-heavyweight teams.

    In the second quarter, the Bobcats managed to break up the tie asquarterback Brock Roberts connected with Martin on a 38-yard passwith 9:59 remaining. Bogue Chitto’s defense managed to step up anddefend their lead as they took 14-7 advantage into halftime.

    In the second half, the epic battle continued as neither team wouldlet the other score a touchdown. The Flames kicker, Dane Spell,managed break up the scoreless drought in the third quarter on hissecond attempt, when he nailed a 42-yard field goal with 2:49remaining to trim BC’s lead to 14-10. Spell missed on his firstattempt as the 46-yarder bounced back after hitting the crossbar.

    In the fourth quarter, Bogue Chitto managed to punch throughUniversity Christian’s defense to score a touchdown as Robertshooked up with Martin for a 25-yard reception with 9:50 remainingto increase the lead to 21-10.

    The Flames, refusing to quit, fought through their leg cramps tocut into Bogue Chitto’s lead as Shufelt threw a 78-yard touchdownpass to Javous Nicks with 5:39 remaining. University Christiandecided to go for the 2- point conversion and connected as GregMoore caught the pass from Shufelt to trim BC’s lead to just afield goal.

    In the closing minutes, Bogue Chitto came in and put their tacticsto use by running the ball to drain the clock. The Bobcats, in abig need for a first down, elected to punt the ball and pinned UCSdeep in their territory.

    UCS, breathing a new sign of life, quickly marched down the fieldto put them in scoring range. The Bobcats’ defense rose to thechallenge by stopping the Flames and forced them to settle for afield goal.

    Spell, attempting his third field goal on the night, came in tohelp his team tie the game with another 42-yard try. After severalicings, Bogue Chitto’s defense came through in the closing secondsas they managed to slightly adjust the kick to help it veer to theright of the uprights.

    “This was a good hard-fought game for both teams,” said UniversityChristian coach Phil Hannon. “Bogue Chitto played us physically tothe end. They have got some talented athletes.”

    Jermaine Blackwell and Roberts were the defensive leaders for theBobcats with 10 tackles apiece. Jeremy Blackwell contributed 9stops and a fumble recovery. Colton McClendon provided 8 tackles.Wells intercepted a pass.

    UCS was led on defense with 10 tackles by Ken Harpe Davis. Mooreprovided 6 stops.

    Offensively, Wells led Bogue Chitto on the ground with 13 carriesfor 63 yards. McClendon contributed 56 yards on 10 carries. Robertscompleted 3-of-9 passing attempts for 74 yards and oneinterception.

    Nick was the offensive leader for the Flames as he caught 5 passesfor 161 yards. Shufelt had 4 completions on 16  passing attempts for 101 yards. CodyGrogan led all rushers with 22 carries for 64 yards.

    Bogue Chitto will be in action Friday, visit the Mount OlivePirates. UCS returns home to host the Dexter Bulldogs inFlowood.