Turnovers bring Bronchos
season to unexpected close

by LP Pannell

All year long, despite being a young team, and despite making the move up to Class 3A, the Bethany Bronchos had played like a group of veterans.

After an opening night loss to 2A Washington brought out skeptics, the Bronchos reeled off a six-game winning streak, which in the end, pushed them into a battle for the district 2 title.

But last Friday, the Bronchos looked like a completely different squad. The team, who all year long managed to play mistake free, had eight turnovers in the biggest game of its season.

And despite those turnovers, the Bronchos still had the lead for most of the game.

Even with a poor first half, Silas Day’s touchdown to Kyle Freeman with 1:22 left in the second quarter gave Bethany a 14-9 lead heading into halftime.

Linebacker John Ross’ interception on Blanchard’s first drive in the second half gave Bethany full momentum while giving the Bronchos a chance to close the door on the Lions.

However, the Bronchos went three and out on the following possession, beginning a string of bad events for Bethany.

Blanchard scored 21 unanswered points to grab a 30-14 lead while Bronchos’ quarterback Silas Day threw interceptions on back-to-back drives.

The Bronchos made one attempt at a comeback when Michael Coats caught a 19-yard pass for a touchdown, bringing Bethany to within 30-21.

But Blanchard responded on the next drive.

John McCracken’s 7-yard touchdown run for Blanchard ended the Broncho’s hopes, allowing the Lions to pull the upset on the road.

Silas Day’s attempt at a hail mary touchdown was picked off for his fifth interception on the night and Blanchard’s touchown with 1:37 remaining gave the Lions a 43-21 win.

The loss ended Bethany’s season at 7-4.

Bethany’s Kraig Murray and Mark Hance bring down Blanchard’s Blake Stringer last Friday in the Broncho’s 43-21 loss to the Lions. (Staff photo by LP Pannell)

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