Basha 32
Brophy 29
By Ian Christopher Beck ’12
THE ROUNDUP
A 390-yard outing from quarterback Tyler Bruggman ’13 and 171 receiving yards from Devon Allen ’13 could not stop a dwindling clock as the Bronco’s perfect season ended in a final-second loss to the Basha Bears 32-29 Friday night, Nov. 10.
Each team traded touchdowns in the first quarter with Fred Gammage ’12 scoring for Brophy on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Bruggman. With two second-quarter touchdowns, the Broncos built a 21-12 halftime lead.
The Bears scored 17 unanswered points though in the third quarter, capped off a 46-yard touchdown pass by Kyle Duran, to take a 29-21 lead heading into the final quarter.
Brophy had the ball to start the fourth quarter and were able to convert a key third and 15 situation with a 17-yard reception by Clarence Clark ’13.
The Broncos would convert the opening drive of the fourth quarter into a game-tying touchdown. Robert Relf ’13 ran in a touchdown from three yards out and Gammage caught a pass from Bruggman to convert a two-point conversion to tie the game at 29 with just less than 6:50 remaining.
Basha would start their drive at the 12 yard line but with two fourth down conversion were able to march downfield and kick a 27-yard field goal to go on top 32-29 with 1:22 remaining.
With no timeouts left to use, the Broncos began their drive at their own 30 yard line. After a failed Statue of Liberty play that resulted in a five yard loss, Brophy had completions of 10, 24 and 11 yards from Bruggman to move the ball down the field to the Basha 30 yard line.
With 12 second remaining Bruggman connected with Allen across the middle of the field and Allen lateralled the ball backwards, but the offense was unable to stop the clock before time ran out.
“The right call was made,” head coach Mr. Scooter Molander said after the game. “When the ball got fumbled backwards we did not make the first down and the clock doesn’t stop until you make a first down. It was the right call.”
Bruggman finished the game 33-46 for a total of 390 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception, just his second all season.
Allen had 13 catches on the game for 171 yards and a touchdown.
Mr. Molander pointed to turnovers as a game factor.
“I think they won the turnover margin and that was the difference,” he said.
Brophy lost the turnover margin 3:2.
He also said penalties were a factor that hurt the team.
“When you’re playing against a good, strong football team, taking yourself backwards really hurts,” Mr. Molander said.
The Broncos had at least five penalties called against them in the game.
“It’s a tough one for our seniors,” Mr. Molander said. “You know, playoffs are always bittersweet. I feel bad for those guys.”
More photos from the game:
