ARBUCKLE, CA (MPG) – Facing a Durham team that had played tough in defeat over the previous two weeks, the Bear defense pitched a shutout while the offense got rolling in the second half as Pierce notched the 31-0 Sacramento Valley League victory last Friday night at LeMaster Field.
Depleted by injuries this season the Bears have shown remarkable resiliency relying on the “next man up” to step in and make contributions with the latest win being no exception.
Nevertheless, Pierce did jump out to an 8-0 lead in the first quarter when quarterback Colin Dye hit receiver Kashius Nunley, who had gotten behind the defender, for the 26-yard completion and the game’s first points.
After tacking on the two-point conversion the score was 8-0 and remained so until the Bears’ first possession of the second half, when Dye raced 46 yards through the Trojan defense to the house, increasing the advantage to 15-0.
Yet on the ensuing defensive series, Pierce would lose Dye, who ran for a total of 61 yards and made five tackles, when he went down with an injury and did not return.
However, the Bears didn’t miss a beat with Devin Garcia pressed into service at quarterback, as they embarked on a seven-play drive that culminated when kicker Timmy Vega split the uprights from 30 yards away.
With the Pierce defense stifling Durham, the offense continued to add on in the fourth quarter when Ben Sweet was not to be denied, blasting into the end zone with 9:06 remaining in the game.
Sweet, a sophomore, who has performed admirably this season, carried 22 times for 116 yards, but got a breather as the game wound down when Tony Camberos, a senior who was injured during summer camp, made his first appearance this year and scored the Bears’ final points of the game.
In assessing his team’s performance, Coach Anthony Tapia was pleased, but also admitted it’s a group that continues to surprise him.
“Because of the injuries, this isn’t the team we thought we were going to have, but they are scrappy,” said Tapia. “There are guys we didn’t really think would be playing much, but they stuck it out, worked hard and when they have gotten the opportunity to start, they have played hard.”
Tapia went on to praise the defense, specifically pointing out that not only it has played tough all season, but also that he is confident that it continually “gives us a chance to win.”
Esteban Calderon, Alfredo Huerta and Javier Delgado made four tackles each for the Bears.
This week Pierce (5-3, 3-1) is in Colusa for a game against the RedHawks, their county and SVL rival.