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Defense Impressive Against Braves
Facing conditions that appeared more favorable for the rushing attack of Union County, the Butler County Bears—shorthanded to begin with—demonstrated smash mouth football that so many appreciate.
Coach Emmick crowded the box with a 4-4 cover three scheme. His players answered the challenge by staying in their lanes and keeping the guests out of the end zone for most all the game.
The bend but don’t break mentality, plus winning the turnover battle paid extreme dividends. Butler County won the rainy battle, 26-8.
The first turnover came early. Sophomore lineman Kaleb Hunt was pounding down on the Braves’ quarterback. This helped force an errand pass, which Blake Graham picked up as the first of four BC interceptions on the night.
However, Butler County could not capitalize, going three and out.
After Jake Martin punted a beauty that rolled inside the one, the Braves moved the ball out near midfield on their next possession.
This is when Dylon Kirby, the hometown hero of the night, burst onto the scene.
“We got an excellent effort out of Dylon Kirby tonight,” Coach Emmick praised.
With junior linebacker Jacob Courtenay sidelined, Kirby was pleased for his calling. One of his early tackles came when he dashed through the line of scrimmage for a shoestring tackle that forced a punt attempt.
This is a play that Coach Emmick refers to as a game changer or eye-opener. “It was like, everybody said, ‘we got this’ when he made that tackle,” Emmick recalled, something the coach and rest of the staff knew all along.
BC’s special team units continued to be an advantage for the Bears. Drake Embry closed in on the punter rapidly. Graham and others rallied to cleanup on the tackle.
Having the ball in Union territory, once again, the Bears were not denied. Runs ripped off by QB Rex Henderson and running back Dillon Brosnan setup a Graham three-yard tote for six. PAT by Henderson was good.
Conner Reed, John Payton, Kaleb Hunt, Kirby, and Brosnan created havoc in the Braves’ offensive backfield all throughout the night.
Reed and Mason Barks, two hardworking seniors, have been playing significant roles by controlling the line of scrimmage from both sides of the football. Alfredo Gomez relieves them some for breathers.
“The rotation is working well,” Coach Emmick expressed. “I told them they were going to have to play for four quarters tonight.”
And, they definitely stepped up to the occasion.
Just when Union County’s offense materialized and got within the red zone, Martin, one of the cover men, snatched a pass out of the air near the goal line. The return was negated because of a hold.
Union’s defense got on the scoreboard thanks to a safety on the next play, but the Bears clung to the 7-2 margin.
Davis Joiner, Union’s quarterback, found himself running for his life all night and especially during the Braves’ next series. First, Hunt and Payton dropped him hard. Then, their pressure forced a horrendous Joiner attempt that Henderson easily secured as an interception.
Butler County never retained any offensive rhythm in the half. They punted.
Joiner, who has been dangerous against BC in the past, once again moved his team in striking territory before the end of the first half; but, Butler tightened the fort down.
Part of that fort, or at least a brick, was Martin. Joiner got a good taste when Martin textbook-tackled him in open field right in front of the Bears’ sidelines and grandstands.
Once again, the defensive-stand aided a 7-2 halftime lead for the Bears.
The second half went without rain. The game plans by both teams were much the same, though.
Another three and out by the Bears followed by another awesome punt, which netted close to 50 yards, was capped off when Kory Johnson hog-tied the punt returner for no gain.
Once more, Union marched inside Bear territory. This time, they turned it over on downs.
The Bears struck fast. Henderson galloped for close to 30 yards. Graham took two hard runs for ten or more, consecutively.
Henderson scored with just over a minute left on the clock in the third, all the while, making it two possessions.
Nevertheless, the Braves used nearly half the fourth quarter on a 14-possession drive, but finally found the end zone, making the score, 14-8.
Butler County immediately answered. Henderson laid up a pass that fell perfectly into the hands of Embry, who scorched the Union defensive backs for an 88-yard touchdown catch and run.
Kirby, who had 9.5 tackles, flew through the air and hit Joiner that caused the next Union County turnover.
Graham later scored his second rushing touchdown, sealing the victory, 26-8.
“Kirby is beginning to round into his own,” Emmick stated, “That is how you play your way into varsity football. Show out in JV and freshman when given the opportunity.”
“We have been telling them that they have to believe in themselves, which is their family. They are the ones that do this together,” Emmick continued. The results of their efforts proved that what the coaching staff does week in and week out is correct.
“I also can’t tell you how good our defensive ends, John Payton and Kaleb Hunt, played tonight.” Emmick raved.
Coach Emmick also bragged about his linemen stepping up while they were shorthanded. “I told them they were going to have to fight for four quarters. I am very proud of all of them,” Emmick continued during postgame.
The Braves, who held the ball for more than 70% of the game, actually had more offensive yards. But, they averaged a mere 3.2 yards on 69 plays; whereas, Butler County netted 5.4 yards on just 32 plays.
The win pushed the Bears back to .500 and in the catbird seat for the #2 seed in the playoffs. They still have district games at Todd and McLean the next two weeks before hosting Hancock the 24th. Halloween will be the end of regular season when Edmonson comes to town.
Running the board and getting healthy would both significantly give the Bears some momentum going into the playoffs, but Coach Emmick and staff will take it one game at a time.
“Todd County is a good football team with some tough losses lately, but we will not overlook them,” Emmick replied. “We will have a tough closeout with Hancock/Edmonson, and McLean is a much improved team, playing very good football.”
Story By: Greg Moore, for Beech Tree News
Photos By: Jeremy Hack, Beech Tree News
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