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Bears Stand Strong, Dispose Wildcats 26-6

Senior night for the Bears fell on Halloween this past Friday night. Neighboring, longtime-rival, Edmonson County came to Morgantown to play smash mouth football in the cold and wind. Once again, all three phases of the game contributed to propel the Bears over the Wildcats, 26-6.

First, it was the special teams—just like in last week’s game—a sailed snap over the head of the punter resulted in a safety and the Bears first points.

Jake Martin, who had already boomed two punts in the game, took the ensuing kickoff to the house, untouched. Butler County was up, 8-0, just like that.

“Our players recognize that we can win ballgames on special teams and strive to make big things happen. Great teams take great pride in the unheralded third phase of the game,” Coach Emmick stressed.

Edmonson County was not phased by the unexpected and utilized a long run by freshman Tucker Cole to later find the end zone on a sophomore quarterback Jake Dial’s plunge.

The visitors actually had a better look at scoring to go ahead in the first half; however, the Bears’ defense stood solid on two more Wildcat possessions.

After the wind played havoc on a Henderson punt, Edmonson took over in lethal territory, the Butler-35. Two runs went nowhere. Then, Kaleb Hunt wrangled up Dial for a ten yard loss.


It was Hunt chasing Dial on 4th down, too. Dylon Kirby, who reached double-digits in tackles for the game, took Dial’s legs out from underneath him. The back-to-back sacks set the Bears up across midfield.

The Bears’ offensive unit continued to move the ball inconsistently. They ended up turning the ball over on downs after punting three straight series prior.

Just when Edmonson County got the ball back near the red zone, Caleb Deweese said thank you on a ball threw directly to him.

The second half started similar to its predecessor. Wildcat defensive end Tyler Hayes, who already had two sacks in the first half, got an excellent jump to drop Henderson on the first play.

Nolan Johnson’s hustle put him in position to recover a muffed punt after the BC offense failed to pick up a first down. Unfortunately, the offense went three-and-out, again.

Jacob Courtenay and Peyton Bratcher punished the young Edmonson County backs on consecutive plays before Hunt tag teamed with Dillon Brosnan to chase Dial, who threw a completion, but it happened to be a coach on the sideline.

After Edmonson punted, Henderson completed a pass to John Payton for fifteen yards and scrambled for another first down prior to a miscommunication on a route which led to an Edmonson interception deep in Butler territory.

Courtenay, who finished with 13 tackles, stayed with a strung out play to clobber the ball carrier for a loss. Mason Barks joined with Bratcher to stuff another run. Then, the versatile Bratcher put his Bears on the scoreboard with a pick-six on an attempted screen pass.


“Peyton Bratcher did a great job reading the screen play and retraced his steps, something we have emphasized since day one. He got himself in the right place and then made a great play,” Coach Emmick relished.

Bratcher’s defensive play kindled the offensive unit. Winning 14-6 on special teams and defensive plays, the offense found folds and struck against the Wildcats.

“Rex recognized the blitz and man coverage and did a great job checking us out of the play,” Emmick praised. “Drake ran a great route then used his athleticism to make a play.” 

“We have the ability to do good things on the football field when we recognize what the other team is doing and adjust ourselves accordingly,” Coach Emmick continued.

Henderson’s 65-yarder to Embry gave the Bears a 20-6 cushion after a tight game throughout.

The defensive front pinned their ears back and let the secondary play solid football for the rest of the way out on this freezing Friday night lights.

Linebacker Brosnan intercepted a Dial pass which led the staff to go for the juggler.  Henderson went up top to Embry, who laid out, but came up just shy of making a spectacular diving-catch.

Later, Deweese made good on touchdown toss from Henderson. Graham’s two receptions helped set up the last score on the evening.

Butler’s third phase of the game had proved worthy of an all-around superb finish to a 7-3 regular season, devouring the 26-6 conquest.


“Defensively we were lights out most of the night,” Emmick stated. “We were outflanked early in the game and we were able to make that adjustment at half time and were in position all night long after that.”

He credited, “Coach Embry and Coach Bivens are doing a great job making adjustments throughout the week and on Friday night, getting our players in the right position and understanding what they are seeing.”

Butler County’s three phases will need to be in full force as they host the Ballard Memorial Bombers (8-2) this Friday night at 7pm in the Class 2A Russell Athletic/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl.

Their two losses come to familiar foes of the Bears, CaldwellCounty (55-18) and Murray (42-21). The winner of the Bombers/Bears will likely travel to play CaldwellCounty, who open against Hancock County.

 

 

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