courtesy photo/ Shawana Coxcourtesy photo/ Shawana Coxcourtesy photo/ Shawana Coxcourtesy photo/Sees the Moment Photography

Bears End the Regular Season in a Loss

The Willow Springs Bears lost to the Ava Bears Thursday with a score of 51-14. Though they ended the regular season in a loss, the Willow Springs Bears can hang their hats on racking up more points against an undefeated powerhouse than Cabool, Houston, Salem, or Thayer could score. Willow played some of their best football this season, despite being down a key player. Gavin Ferguson was out of the game due to an injury. Against a stronger, larger, and undefeated team, Willow still managed two touchdowns and pulled off some impressive defensive moves. 
Willow's first touchdown began in the first quarter on their own 35-yard line. After a quick play and gain of five yards, Ryan Friga passed the ball to Nate McDaniel who took it to the Ava 42 yard line. From there Ryan Friga sent the ball long to Ryan Koehler,  who caught it one-handed on the Ava 10-yard line amidst Ava's defenders.
The next play saw Taylor Rothermich gain two more yards, but he was forced down just shy of a first down. Nate McDaniel forced the ball through, scoring a Willow touchdown. Tommy Sidorovich sealed the extra point by kicking a field goal..
The second touchdown saw Willow take possession of the ball and force it down to the Ava 13-yard line. Rothermich weaved through Ava's tough defense and took it to the 5-yard line. Once again Nate McDaniel forced his through, this time while actively being tackled, and scored a touchdown. Sidorovich added the extra point.
Gennadiy Dudko and Micah Stetina proved to be a bane to Ava's running backs, taking them down at every opportunity. Dudko latched on to the ankle of an Ava player who was making a huge play and effectively shut it down. Rothermich was also a strong defender, putting an end to two possible touchdowns, one by causing the runner to trip and be tackled, and the other he ran down before a touchdown could be completed. 
Despite the strong defensive work, Willow ultimately gave up 51 points, and ended their regular season in a loss. Willow is now 2-7 in their season and 1-6 in the SCA. Ava was undefeated before taking on the Willow Bears and are now 9-0 in their season.
District play begins Friday, October 29. The Bears will face the Liberty Eagles in Mountain View at the Eagles Nest. The district game admission fee will be $5.
Content Paywall Trunction: 
Free

Howell County News

110 W. Main St.,
Willow Springs, MO 65793
417-252-2123

Comment Here