By Josh Ouellette
(Baldwin Park) The Bonita Bearcats (1-3) and earned their first victory of the season handing the Baldwin Park Braves (3-1) their first loss, winning 9-3 in a defensive struggle.
Bonita controlled most of the game except for BP’s final drive. The main factor for control was Casey Horine, who had two key plays that made all the difference in the game. While standing out the entire game, Horine ended up with multiple receptions and tackles, two blocked punts and two sacks.
Key Play Number One: On the Braves opening drive they attempted to punt on a fourth and six only to have it blocked by Horine.
The blocked punt set up the ball on the 42 yard line for the Bearcats. After a short run, the ball was given to back up running back Kenneth Calvin. He broke free for a 40 yard touchdown run after pinballing around for ten yards refusing to go down. This proved to be the night’s only touchdown.
After the touchdown, the Braves rallied and marched 53-yards down the field led by the ground attack of Jesse and Anthony Moran. It ended with a 27 yard field goal by Vincent Elizalde which was BP’s only score of the night.
Just when it looked like the Bonita was going to ride to victory, Baldwin Park shocked the Bearcat faithful.
Starting with the ball on their own 17 the Braves quarterback Manny Salcedo connected with Christian Lazaro for two passes. The first for 28 yards and the second for 26, then Salcedo scampered up the middle for a 15 yard gain. After a couple of Jesse Moran runs the Braves set up first and goal from the Bonita eight yard. Two runs gained three yards, and an incompletion set up fourth and goal for Baldwin Park with 1:38 left.
Key Play Number Two: Horine blitzed in on the Braves fourth and goal attempt and sacked Salcedo with 1:26 left on the clock, closing all hopes for the Braves.
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