Bobcats tame Tigers

Published 10:34 pm Saturday, August 25, 2007

By By STEVE MORRISON / Niles Daily Star
LAWRENCE – In their first game of the season the Brandywine Bobcats reeled off an impressive victory over the Lawrence Tigers 36-20 Friday night.
A balanced ground-based attack, coupled with several costly Lawrence turnovers, helped the Cats maintain control of the ball for most of the second half.
Coach Terry Borr was pleased with his team's effort in their initial contest.
"It was an ugly start," he humbly stated, referring to the first half.
Brandywine began their first series deep in their own territory, after winning the toss and receiving the opening kick-off, inside the 10 yard line. Quarterback Joel Perry ran for a 12-yard keeper on the first play from scrimmage, and things began to look good, temporarily. An illegal motion penalty for a loss of five followed by losses of two yards on two of the next three plays resulted in a punt on fourth down,
Lawrence's Hayden McAndrew fair-caught the ball on the Brandywine 37. Six plays later, four featuring running by Lee Cammire, the Tigers scored the first touchdown of the game, Quarterback Adrian Ledesma connected with receiver Spencer Whittington on a 10-yard hook-up to complete the short drive, converting the 2- pointer with Hayden McAndrew running the ball into the end zone at 7:52 of the first quarter.
After receiving a sloppy kick at their 37 yard line the Bobcats wasted little time in tying the score. With a 52-yard burst up the middle by Brett Gilpin and a 2-point conversion, the score was deadlocked. Despite Lawrence's repeated attempts Brandywine's defense led by Caleb Frazier, Robert Basker, Josh Myer, and Gilpin shut down the Lawrence offense.
The key play with seven minutes remaining in the half was a fumble recovery by Danny Williams, coughed up by Matt McAndrew at Brandywine's 14. The half ended 8-8.
The third quarter showed immediate improvement from the Brandywine offense.
"We blocked well and the defense improved with some stunting and varying between the 5-2 and 5-3 defense," stated a pleased Borr.
A pass on third and eight from Ledesma to Cammire was fumbled and recovered by the Cats.
On the first play from scrimmage, after the recovery, Caleb Frazier swept wide and rocketed into the end zone to put Brandywine up for good, 14-8 . The kick after failed.
After that there was little doubt about the outcome of the contest.
Caleb Frazier scored on a 55-yard sweep at 8:07 with a fine catch from Warren Watson for the 2-point conversion, to make it 22-8 Brandywine.
Frazier had a 72-yard scamper with a smart cut back to the right at 8:32 of the third quarter, followed by another sensational grab of a Perry aerial by Warren Watson for the 2-point conversion.
Watson finished the scoring for Brandywine at 7:56 with a 65-yard burst.
Two meaningless late scores by the Tigers had little effect on the outcome.
The Bobcats return to action on Thursday night as they travel to Centreville for another non-conference contest. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.