BOMBERS LOSE AT BYRON

The Bombers, with missed opportunities and mistakes, turned a winnable game into a defeat Friday night at Byron. If I had told you the Bears would have 8 penalties, 2 interceptions, a blocked punt, a blocked extra point, 2 fumbles, 6 sacks, and at 4 different times in the game had a 3rd and 37, 3rd and 33, 3rd and 30, 3rd and 29, and still won. You would have not believed me. The Bears opened the scoring with a 19 yard field goal. After a punt attempt by the Bombers was mishandled and the Bears took over at the Bomber 2 yard line. A great defensive stand by the Bombers, stopped the Bears three times from the 2 yard line. The Bombers next drive stalled after 5 plays and Callister's punt was then returned for a 65 yard Bear touchdown. After 8 minutes of play the Bombers were down 10-0. The 1st quarter only got worst for the Bombers, after a 7 play drive the Bombers were forced to punt. The Bears next series, Quarterback Jack Nelson scrambled then hit Thor Knutson with a 50 touchdown pass. The extra point was blocked by Ryan Castillo, that block was crucial for later part, in the game. First Quarter score CF 0 Byron 16
The next drive for the Bombers started with a 33 yard pass from Hunter Johnson to Jordan  Lundell. Hard running by Ian Althoff and good blocking by the offensive line took the ball to the Byron 2 yard line. A 4th down sweep by Johnson came up short and the Bombers lost the ball on downs. Byron then marched 44 yards down the field, then after a sack and 2 penalties the Bears on 4th 37 tried to punt, but Castillo broke through the line and blocked the punt. The ball travels out of bounds at the Byron 14. Runs by Johnson and Althoff take the ball to the 1. Johnson then hits Noah Callister on 1 yard dump pass. Derek Johnson's kick was good. With only 1:26 left in the half, doesn't mean there won't be a lot of action. The Bears take the kickoff to the their 35. Four plays later they are at the Bomber 9 yard line. Alex Bultena picks off Nelson in the end zone for a touchback. Bombers get the ball at the 20 yard line. The Bombers Ian Althoff breaks a big run, but is stripped of the ball and a Byron player scoops up the loose ball and returns it to the 20 yard line. The Bombers defense stiffens again, with Bultena getting another pick of a Nelson pass.  Halftime score Byron 16 Bombers 7

Third quarter was all Byron, as far as possession time, yardage, and plays. The Bombers defense rose to the occasion each time the Bears got close to the goal line and only allowed Byron 2 field goals. Third quarter score.   CF 7 Byron 22.   Fourth quarter starts with Byron on 13 play drive. The Bomber defense stops a 4th and 7 play at their own 26 yard line. The Bombers take over and march  8 plays scoring on a 5 yard run by Hunter Johnson. Big play was a 43 yard pass from Johnson to Austin Lauridsen down to the Bears 7 yard line.   Score CF 14 Byron 22  Time left 3:44 The Bears starting on the own 32 after the kickoff, move to the Bomber 48. The Bombers force a punt that carries in to the end zone. This is were that blocked extra point is important, the Bombers are only 1 score down with a touchdown and 2 point conversion, would tie the game. The Bombers start at their own 20 yard line with 2:00 minutes to go. Pass receptions by Bultena and Lundell move the ball to the Bears 29 yard line. A second down pass is intercepted on the Bears 8 yard line. The Bears needed only to kneel down to end the game.

The key for the Bombers was to put pressure on Nelson. They did a fair job, 8 sacks but a QB like Nelson you have to be relentless. To many times he evaded the rush and threw for a completion or took off running.

The Bombers are at home next week taking on the Rochester Lourdes Eagles. It is Cannons homecoming.

Stats for the game:

Rushing
Hunter Johnson  10-28
Ian Althoff 23-92
Ryan Castillo 2-9

Receiving
Alex Bultena 3-30
Noah Callister 1-1
Jordan Lundell 4-76
Austin Luaridsen 1-42

Passing
Hunter Johnson 10-15 177yds

unofficial Bears passing
Nelson 19 -296 yards