by Tyrone Bowers, Contributing Writer
BAY ST. LOUIS (GG) — The Long Beach Bearcats dominated the Bay High Tigers 30-10 in a non-conference game on a night in remembrance of 9/11. The evening started with a moment of silence for the heroes, survivors and victims of the 9/11 attacks. Next there was the presentation of the colors followed by the playing of the national anthem by the Bay High band.
The game started in a stalemate as both teams had to punt on their first drive. Each team was flagged for encroachment while Long Beach also had a delay of game. The Bearcats got the scoring started when Derek McDonald scored on a QB keeper. Bay High punted again on their next drive. Then, Long Beach scored again with a FG from Kicker Aiden Downey to go up 10-0.
Bay High was charged with encroachment but Long Beach missed out on a rushing TD due to a holding call. The Tigers were able to put some points on the board with a FG before halftime. Their drive was also stalled due to a holding call.
Coming out of the gates, Bay received the ball first to start the third quarter, but their drive was stopped when the Bearcats recovered a fumble. Long Beach was able to score of that turnover when Wide Receiver Carlos Finch Jr. took a pass from McDonald making the score 17-3.
The Tigers had to punt on their very next drive but received new life when they also recovered a fumble. They wasted no time in scoring when Quarterback Brenton Ladner threw a TD pass to De’Quine Broussard to bring the score to 17-10. This connection is a glimpse of the future as both players are freshmen.
The Bearcats next drive was stalled by Bay’s defense due to a sack and an interception. The Tigers could not take advantage even with Long Beach being flagged for a personal foul. A false start stopped Bay High’s momentum and they were forced to punt.
However, all was not lost as Bay High recovered another fumble on the Bearcats drive. Long Beach was not through as they had a pick six to bring the score to 23-10 as the extra point was missed.
Bay High had a turnover on downs on their next drive and Long Beach put the nail in the coffin when McDonald had another rushing TD to make the final score 30-10.
The Tigers were plagued by Long Beach’s rushing attack and by their inability to get off the field after third down. The loss drops Bay High to 0-3 while Long Beach improves to 2-1. This was the first time the Bearcats have two consecutive wins since 2018.
Bay High has a bye week before having another home game against Presbyterian Christian on September 25, Long Beach returns home next week to play Purvis Friday, September 18.
(Photos by Ezabelle Janssen/The Gazebo Gazette)
