Bears Seal Second Place
By Kelsey Prose
The crosstown Region Seven 3A matchup between the Plainview Bears and the Sylvania Rams was bigger than ever before. This year, the winner received a top spot in the playoff rankings and thus an easier first part to their playoff journey. The Bears traveled to Sylvania on a chilly Friday night for the big showdown. Sylvania received the ball first and came out hot, finding success with their passing game and running game. Sylvania’s #15 Gareth Anderson punched in the end zone from 2 yards out for the Rams’ first 6 points. The PAT was up and good, giving the Rams the momentum and an early 7 point lead. Plainview could not get their run game going and gave the ball back to the Rams.
After a big 18 yard pass to #4 Sawyer Hughes, the Rams set up another touchdown run from Anderson from 6 yards out. The PAT would not find the uprights and the Rams increased their lead to 13-0. The Bears took the next 9 minutes to put together a scoring drive, and #12 Noah White found the end zone from 39 yards out. Jacob Yates #43 booted the ball between the uprights and increased the score to 7. The first quarter came to a close with the score at 13-7 Rams. The Bears moved the ball down the field thanks to their rushing game, which received 285 rushing yards for the night. White found the end zone again from 1 yard out, but the PAT was no good, and the score was tied at 13. The Rams drove the ball down to the 5-yard line, but #22 Jathen Underwood knocked the ball loose, and the Bears recovered the fumble on the 1-yard line and ended the first half. The Rams kicked off to the Bears to open up the second half, but the Bears fumbled the ball and started their possession on the 6-yard line. The Rams quickly got the ball back, and five plays later, #27 Keenan Wilbanks found the end zone from 5 yards out.
The Bears turned around, and White connected with #10 Andrew Hall for a 44-yard touchdown reception. The Bears decided to go for the 2-point conversion, and White found the end zone from 3-yards out to give the Bears the lead at 21-20. The Rams took the ball back down the field, but on 4th and two from the 2-yard line, the Bears knocked the ball loose again and recovered in the end zone. Marcos Vega #18 broke free from the middle and rushed for 46 yards to set up the touchdown for #8 Brody McCurdy from 5 yards out. Plainview went for the 2-point conversion, and McCurdy got it in. The Bears held the Rams for the rest of the game and clinched the win at 29-20. The Bears prepare for Brindlee Mountain this Thursday night while the Rams prepare for East Limestone this Friday night.
Bears Seal Second Place