Minutemen Take Down Bears

Andrew Elffers shines in opener

(Pasadena) It was a successful debut for first year Head Coach Pete Karavedas as the Maranatha Minutemen posted a resounding 41-12 win over the visiting Big Bear Bears Friday night on the campus of Maranatha High School.

Junior Andrew Elffers got the party started with 6:15 left in the first quarter. From the three yard line Elffers rolled right on a bootleg and headed for the corner of the endzone. With pressure coming, Elffers dove and just got the ball over the pylon for the score. Reid Pike added the extra point and Maranatha was up 7-0

Three minutes later the Minutemen were on the board again. This time Elffers found tight end Robert Flewelling from 35-yards away. The extra point was missed but Maranatha was up 13-0. The second year starter Elffers completed his night accounting for five scores. Three through the air and two on the ground to go along with 271 passing yards.

The Minutemen defense was stout in the first half giving the Minutemen offense plenty of

opportunities for to showcase their talent.

After forcing a punt late in the first, Maranatha went to work from their own 30. This time Elffers went play action and fired the ball deep down field in the direction of Darien MeGee. McGee was wide open and hauled in the pass and coasted the rest of the way for the 70-yard score. Reid hit the extra point and the rout was on.

After a late second quarter score from Big Bear, the Minutemen went back to work in the third. A ten play drive was capped by Elffers with a one yard score behind a great surge by the offensive line.

The Bears cut the lead to 27-12 at the end of the third quarter on a one yard score by quarterback Zakk Planz.

Darien McGee lights up Big Bear

The Big Bear score was as close as they would get as Maranatha added two more fourth quarter touchdowns. The first a six yard strike from Elffers to Troy French the second a 47-yard run from McGee. McGee finished a stellar night with eight catches for 157-yards through the air and 45-yards on the ground with two scores.

Keeping the defense honest was running back Omar Younger who carried the ball 20 times for 79-yards.

After the game Coach Karavedas commented on his first win and the teams performance. “First games are tough because you thing you know what you got but you don’t know quite yet. I’m extremely proud of our boy tonight.”

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