JUNIOR HIGH BEARCATS SHUT OUT THIRD STRAIGHT OPPONENT

The Junior High Bearcats shut out their third straight opponent Thursday night, pounding Lavaca 44-0.

Karson Tillery made a tackle on the first play of the game, which was also the Conference 3A-1 opener for both teams, and would lead the defensive shutout effort with five total tackles.

Managing only 25 yards of total offense, Lavaca never threatened in the game and the Bearcats came up with a couple of turnovers in the form of an Asher Penny fumble recovery and a David Bik interception. Chase Posey also had a sack.

The Bearcats have allowed just 14 points this season while scoring 146.

The Bearcats led 22-0 by the end of the first quarter. The first score came courtesy of Edwin Garcia on a 40-yard run on the first Bearcat offensive play.

Cooper Smithson’s kickoff made it only to the Lavaca 46 where Toby Weaver pounced on it for the Bearcats.

Drake Brackney capped the ensuing drive with a 5-yard run and Smithson added the 2-point conversion to make it 16-0 with 2:40 left in the quarter.

Smithson was just getting started. He ran 61 yards for a touchdown with 17.2 seconds to go in the quarter to make it 22-0.

With 5:07 left in the first half the lead grew to 30-0 as Smithson, who finished with 103 yards on five carries, went 26 yards for his second touchdown and Brackeny threw to Ayden Rhinehart for the extra two.

Garcia (shown) returned a punt 41 yards for a touchdown and Brackney ran for a 2-point conversion to make it 38-0 with 2:52 to play in the half.

Trevor Swaim scored his first touchdown of the season on the first play of the final period to make it 44-0.

The Bearcats will play again next Thursday when they host Cedarville. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.