Bearcats defeat Vikings
Posted: Sunday Aug 17, 2008
The Ohio River Bearcats travelled to Piqua, OH to battle the Miami County (OH) Vikings.
Bearcats win 48-6. Story to be posted later.
Late Touchdown Sinks Pirates' Hopes
Posted: Sunday Aug 10, 2008
When quarterback Chad Cook asked Ohio River Bearcats' head coach Jason Rucker if he could call his own number with the game on the line, all Rucker did was give a nod and a wave. Never before has a nod and a wave meant so much.
With less than three minutes to go in the game the 'Cats found themselves in familiar territory in the Madison County Pirates' red zone. The outlook was still uncertain, however, as the Bearcats had only scored on one of their previous five attempts inside the 20 yard line.
Cook, knowing the Pirate tendency to become increasingly aggressive in those situations, had a plan. When he faked a hand off to the right, the Pirate defense went with it. As he planted a sprinted to the left, there were but two defenders between him and pay dirt. And with a few subtle moves and shakes, the game was tied.
Even with a shaky hold, kicker Brian Davis punched the extra point through to put the 'Cats ahead for good.
The rest of the game did not happen so easily for the visitors. A fumble inside the 5-yard line and botched a botched field goal attempt punctuated a frustrating offensive first half. The Madison County defensive seemed to galvanize inside the 20.
The Bearcat defense, however, had no issues to speak of in the first half as the Pirates were unable to move the ball past the Bearcat 33. The only scoring threat came with 12 seconds left in the 2nd quarter on a 50-yard field goal attempt. The kick sailed short and left and was returned for 35 yards by Chad Cook.
The second half started much the same way as the first with neither offense finding much success. Linebackers Erich Bockstege and Jack Shepard pulled down an interception apiece on successive Pirate drives to thwart the Pirate advances.
With the third quarter coming to a close, the Pirates finally found a man open over the top to get inside the 'Cats 5-yard line. Two plays later, they were in for six. An extra point made the score 7-0 in favor of the home team.
With their first drive of the fourth quarter the 'Cats surged forward with punishing runs by fullback Jeremey Head and his younger brother Mike. Rodney Eldridge shuffled his way into the end-zone, and Davis added his first extra point to tie the game.
After a defensive stand, the 'Cats had the ball and appeared to be in control as they marched down the field again. But an untimely interception return for a touchdown reversed the 'Cats fortunes.
After Eldridge intercepted the two-point conversion try, the 'Cats needed a score. After just three and a half minutes and some quarterback heroics, the Ohio River Bearcats walked away winners to advance to 5-0 in the Midwest Football League.
The 'Cats are on the road once again next Saturday as they travel to Piqua, Ohio to take on the Miami County Vikings. The Pirates(3-2) will go on the road to face the Indy Stampede.
Defense Does It All
Posted: Sunday Jul 27, 2008
When the Indy Stampede scored on the opening drive of the third quarter to break a scoreless tie with the Ohio River Bearcats on Saturday night, things seemed bleak. But linebacker Mike Head proved that a disciplined defense never quits by returning an interception 40 yards for a score on the very next Stampede possession to give the 'Cats an 8-6 victory at Goeble Soccer Complex.
The Stampede had not gained a first down until the first play of the third quarter. But in just a few short plays, they found pay dirt on a 30-yard fullback dive. An incomplete 2-point conversion pass kept the score at 6-0.
Following a three-and-out by the Bearcat offensive unit, the Stampede seemed to have the momentum. On their second play, however, Head snatched all the momentum out of the air and raced down the sideline untouched to tie the game.
Quarterback/Safety Chad Cook took the ball around the end for the two point conversion that would prove to be the game-winning difference.
The defense of the Bearcats, with a seemingly renewed confidence would not bend again. Corner back Jamon Randolph grabbed his own interception on the very next drive, and followed with a nice return to give the 'Cats a field position edge.
Bearcat linebacker Jack Shepard, pulling triple duty as offensive guard and punter, gave his own kind of field position help as he nailed a 60-yard bomb of a punt to set the Stampede back a few steps.
The last 15 minutes of the game became a stalemate of defenses. Defensive Tackles Mark "Bull" James and Brian Davis made several key stops in the middle of the line to keep the fullback from running loose again. Corner Nick Wahl played well off the edge to contain the Stampede's speedy sweep attack.
With the game on the line, the Stampede had two opportunities to score deep in Bearcat territory with under 5 minutes left. The first ended in a missed field goal attempt after Eric Kendall laid a huge hit on 6' 4", 300 lb. Stampede Quarterback Clay Tolliver.
The following Bearcat drive, stalled by a block-in-the-back penalty, failed to produce a first down. The 'Cats would have to give up good field position with just 53 seconds remaining.
At the Bearcat 37 yard-line and with no timeouts left, the Stampede were only able to run two plays. The first was a 6 yard complete pass, but the 'Cats made a solid team tackle to keep the receiver in bounds. The final play saw Tolliver receiving heavy pressure from defensive end Tolly Tsiamas. Tolliver, unable to maneuver away from the fleet-footed lineman, would eat the sack.
The only thing louder than the celebration on the field was the roar of the crowd as time expired and the Bearcats walked away victorious.
The Stampede return home next week to host the Randolph County Riot. The Bearcats(3-0 in the MFL) will be home again next Saturday at Goeble Soccer Complex as they host the West Central Wildcats of Brazil, Indiana.
Bearcats Quell the Riot
Posted: Sunday Jul 20, 2008
Tolly Tsiamas' safety with less than 2 minutes left in the 2nd quarter highlighted an impressive overall defensive performance as the Ohio River Bearcats(2-0 in the MFL) knocked off The Randolph County Riot(0-1) 42-7.
The 'Cats wasted no time asserting their dominance as quarterback Chad Cook scored on the opening drive. Cook would also score a 2-point conversion to put the 'Cats up 8-0.
Not to be outdone, the defense stepped up with bad intentions, holding the Riot to just 7 points on a double pass in the 2nd quarter. Linebacker Erich Bockstege seemed almost deranged, making plays from sideline to sideline the entire game. The 'Cats defensive front also delivered their own kind of punishment to the Riot, making frequent visits to the quarterback in a dominating fashion. Tsiamas' athletic tackle-for-loss in the end zone would put the 'Cats up 26-7.
Fullback Jeremy Head put on a show once again, rarely being brought down less than 8 yards down field. Rodney Eldridge proved once again to be the perfect halfback to complement Head, gashing the Riot defense for several large gains. Both would score on the ground.
Running wasn't all the Bearcats could do, Cook once again showed his accuracy, threading the needle to tight end Zach Tieken on a 5-yard touchdown pass with 20 seconds left before halftime to give the 'Cats a 33-7 advantage.
Jamon Randolph brought in a 45-yard punt return for a touchdown that featured several bone-jarring blocks by the Bearcat punt return unit. Brian Davis would add an extra point and a 39-yard field goal in the 3rd quarter as the visiting team coasted to their 2nd straight victory.
The Bearcats will be back at home at Goeble Soccer Complex in league play this Saturday to take on the Indy Stampede. The Riot will host the Madison County Pirates.
Bearcats Get Their Feet Wet
Posted: Sunday Jul 13, 2008
In a game that seemed like it wasn't supposed to happen, the Ohio River Bearcats made it rain on the Miami County Vikings in more ways than one Saturday night, knocking off their league rivals 42-6 in their MFL opener at Goeble Soccer Complex.
The game, originally set to start at 7:00p.m., did not kick off until 7:35 because league officials, driving from Indianapolis, were caught in traffic. The referees did arrive in time, however, to start the kickoff under a heavy downpour.
The weather couldn't slow the Bearcats(1-0 MFL, 1-1 Overall), though, as quarterback Chad Cook hit a wide open Sean Martin for a 60-yard touchdown pass on the game's first play.
The 'Cats did meet with some adversity after that as a few drives ended in fumbles in the torrential downpour. The Vikings(0-1 MFL, 0-1 Overall) also took advantage of an interception of an errant screen pass that was returned deep into Bearcat territory. Two plays later they were on the board with a 20-yard touchdown run.
The 'Cats defense stiffened from that point, laying hard hits and forcing several Viking turnovers that effectively ended any further scoring threat.
Strong Safety Mike Burkes seemed to be everywhere, including the Viking backfield. Burkes' was questionable to start due to injury in a game three weeks prior.
After the Vikings score, the Bearcats promptly marched the ball downfield with a punishing rushing attack led by Cook and the stellar blocking performance of his offensive line. Cook took off behind Jim Booker, Jake Neumann, Eric Kendall, Jack Sheppard, Tolly Tsiamas, and Wade Mayer for several long rushing plays. After 70-yards and 5 minutes off the game clock, the 'Cats found themselves with a 14-6 halftime lead.
After a failed on-side kick attempt to open the 3rd quarter, the 'Cats Eric Kendall forced a fumble that set the tone for the rest of the game.
Running back Jeremy Head was the thunder to Rodney Eldridge's lightning as the 'Cats opened the game up wider than the skies above. Eldridge and Head would both score to compliment a brilliant defensive touchdown by defensive end Jim Booker. The 'Cats 28 second half points proved to be the difference.
The Bearcats are in MFL action again next week as they travel to Randolph County to square off against the Riot. The Vikings will travel to Adams County to face the defending league champion Patriots.
09.13 - West Central Wildcats
09.20 - Madison County Pirates
