Bears victorious over Timberwolves

Published 4:30 am Sunday, September 7, 2014

DAILY LEADER / TERESA ALLRED / West Lincoln defenders Conner Wilson (22) and Julian Anderson (9) bring down Cedar Ridge runningback in Friday night at Perry Miller Field.

DAILY LEADER / TERESA ALLRED / West Lincoln defenders Conner Wilson (22) and Julian Anderson (9) bring down Cedar Ridge runningback in Friday night at Perry Miller Field.

A rain-soaked field did not slow down the West Lincoln Bears Friday night as they rolled to a 20-6 triumph over the visiting Cedar Ridge Timberwolves on Perry Miller Field.

The Bears, (2-1) coming off a win last week against Sacred Heart, were looking to stay in the win column as Cedar Ridge High School traveled approximately seven hours from Newark, Arkansas, to challenge West Lincoln.

Early afternoon storms dropped torrential rainfall on the gridiron but fair skies broke through just prior to kickoff. Coach Willie Brumfield commented, “I’m extremely proud of our kids with their effort and hustle tonight. It’s always good to get a win for the Green and White.

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“We struggled early offensively but managed to get things going in the second quarter. We missed a couple early opportunities to score due to some miscues. We knew going into the game that the field and playing conditions would be terrible, and they were.”

West Lincoln won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball on the opening play. The kickoff was toward the sideline and splashed out of bounds to give the Bears a starting mark on the 35-yard line.

Senior quarterback Ty Forman directed the Bears on their opening drive before going three and out which forced Jade Use to punt 26 yards to the Timberwolves with no return.

West Lincoln’s defensive held strong on the Timberwolves’ first possession and stopped Cedar Ridge on the fourth down. West Lincoln continued to struggle to get the offensive ground game going and was forced to punt again. The punt pinned the Timberwolves on their 10-yard line.

Cedar Ridge appeared to have jump-started their offensive but on third and two, Lofton Sills fought his way through to met the Timberwolves in the backfield for a seven-yard loss.

The next possession by West Lincoln Ty Forman threw an interception on second down. The offensive and defensive battle continued in the first quarter between the teams, but neither team was able to get the ball in the end zone.

Cedar Ridge intercepted Ty Forman again midway through the second quarter to start their offense on West Lincoln’s 24-yard line. Rushing down the field, the Timberwolves got into the end zone on a two-yard run. They were unsuccessful on a two-point attempt.

West Lincoln’s Conner Wilson returned the kickoff 15 yards to put the Bears on the Timberwolves 40-yard line. On the first play of scrimmage Jayden Rushing would catch a 45-yard pass and set up a first and 10 on the 10-yard line. Bryce Temple rushed in the touchdown on the next play as the Bears were successful on a two-point conversion between Ty Forman and Jayden Rushing.

The Bears defense held the Timberwolves, and on their next offensive possession, the momentum shifted toward West Lincoln as Ty Forman completed a 60-yard pass to Bryce Temple for the Bears’ second touchdown. The extra-point kick by Bryce Temple was unsuccessful. The Bears led at halftime 14-6 over Cedar Ridge.

In the second half, the Bears and Timberwolves continued to battle as neither team was able to put points on the board in the third quarter.

The Bears scored the final points of the night in the fourth quarter on a one-yard quarterback sneak by Ty Forman. Cedar Ridge’s defense stopped the Bears on an attempted two-point conversion.

Play paused in the fourth quarter at the 5:50 mark after a hard hit to defensive back Conner Wilson, which delayed the game until medical attention could be provided including waiting on an ambulance. West Lincoln players and cheerleaders kneeled on the sidelines as an attentive trainer provided by King’s Daughters Medical Center administered immediate medical attention. Wilson was further evaluated at the emergency room and was kept overnight for observation.

“We were finally able to throw the ball successfully tonight and hit a couple of long passes that helped get the offense moving,” noted Brumfield.

Offensively, the Bears compiled 320 total yards with 3/7 passing for 108 yards and one touchdown. West Lincoln’s ground attack complied 212 yards on 31 carries. Ty Forman carried for 82 yards followed by Bryce Temple’s 70 yards.

“Defensively, we tackled extremely well and played physical,” continued Brumfield. “We had some key defensive stops and turnovers that helped secure the win. Cedar Ridge is a good ball club, and they played hard.”

Lofton Sills led the Bears defense with 16 tackles including 12 solo tackles, two tackles for loss yardage and a sack. Liam Rutland also contributed 12 solo tackles. Julian Anderson collected eight solo tackles. Jade Use and Matthew Elkins each had a quarterback sack. West Lincoln’s Jade Use, Matthew Allred, Alex Wilson, Aaron Byrd, and Charles Wayne Smith caused five fumbles with three fumble recoveries by Jade Use, Jayden Rushing and Alex Wilson.

West Lincoln returns to action next week as they prepare to invade Biloxi to take on St. Patrick. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.