The Bears fell to the Wilcox Chargers, 10-7, in the CCS semi-finals on Friday night in the pouring rain, concluding their season.
Both teams started off slow. Wilcox had the first possession and quickly drove M-A’s defense down the field. The Chargers were 16 yards from the end zone but a fumble recovered by senior linebacker Anthony van der Meer gave the Bears possession. M-A’s offense failed to make any significant advances and turned over the ball.
With 42 seconds left in the first quarter, the Chargers made it to first and goal. Although unable to score in the first quarter, Wilcox eventually pushed their way into the end zone with 11:15 left in the second, giving them a 7-0 lead.
Back on offense, passes from senior quarterback Xander Eschelman to junior running back Eva Ama and strong runs from junior running back Monty Turner allowed the Bears to convert some first downs. Eschelman connected with senior wide receiver Angelo Marin, bringing M-A to first and goal. Unfortunately, the Bears fumbled the ball, but were able to recover it, pushing their offense to the 24-yard line.
On fourth down, Eschelman found Marin in the far corner of the end zone, scoring a 20-yard touchdown with less than three minutes left in the half. After a successful kick from junior Anthony Perez, the score was now tied 7-7.
Tackles from senior linebackers Will Roberts and Devin Hyde stopped the Chargers from making any progress on their next drive, ending the half still tied 7-7.
After halftime, neither offense was able to capitalize on the first possessions. Halfway through the third quarter, the Chargers picked up their offensive momentum and drove the Bears’ defense down the field. Wilcox was first and goal, but the Bears’ defense held them to just a field goal, putting them ahead 10-7 with 5:56 left in the quarter.
Back on offense, Turner and Ama made a few more promising drives. The Bears were making progress down the field, but could not continue their momentum far enough. Eschelman kept getting sacked, and, on fourth down, with 38 seconds remaining, they were forced to punt the ball.
Tensions were high and the rain was relentless in the final quarter. The Chargers continued with vigorous offensive momentum and kept making it to first down. M-A finally put a stop to these advances after a tackle by senior linebacker Semisi Tuipulotu forced a turnover on downs.
With 7:49 left in the game, the Bears needed to break into Wilcox’s territory. Eschelman found junior wide receiver JT Roeder on fourth down but wasn’t able to complete the pass and turned the ball over to the Chargers.
The Bears held the Chargers off from making any headway toward the end zone and forced them to punt the ball. On the Bears’ final possession, Eschelman’s passes to Marin seemed promising, but couldn’t bring them far enough. With 36 seconds left the clock ran, giving Wilcox a 10-7 victory.
“It’s a very emotional loss,” senior defensive end Giles Hayhurst said. “I will miss this team so much.”
This game concludes the season for the Bears, finishing the season with an overall 7-5 record.
