The 2025 Bearcat football season came to an end on a sloppy turf of Paul “Bear” Bryant Stadium in Fordyce Friday night.
Playing on the road at a conference champion for the third straight week, the Bearcats (9-5) were unable to maintain drives, safe the game’s initial possession and despite outgaining the hosts 248-193, fell to the Redbugs 18-13.
The opening drive would cover 57 yards but took 13 plays and used 6:57 of the first quarter. Three times on the drive the Bearcats faced a third down and each was followed by a fourth down.
One would not have to be attempted because Fordyce jumped offside but the Bearcats converted the other two, with Hunter Warren scoring on a fourth-and-1 from the 3.
Oliver Loaeza added the point after for a 7-0 lead with 4:58 left in the opening quarter.
Fordyce (13-1) answered with a short drive, 45 yards, that necessitated 9 plays and left only 18 seconds on the first quarter clock.
The touchdown came on a 1-yard run but Cutler Haller and Braxton Hubble stopped a 2-point conversion try to keep the Bearcats in front, 7-6.
Due to a facemask penalty on the touchdown Fordyce kicked off from plus territory and the Bearcats started at their 30 after Conner Droemer's return.
The Bearcats would move to the 31 of Fordyce before Haller was called on to punt and he pinned the Redbugs at their 8.
The Bearcat defense forced a punt as well and the Bearcats were just inside Fordyce territory when they ran out of downs on their third possession.
Unfortunately a problem with the snap and a blocked punt would give the ball to the Redbugs at the Bearcat 33.
Converting a third-and-13 with a 30-yard pass, Fordyce was inside the 10 and three plays later a second rushing touchdown made it 12-7.
Haller, who had 10 total tackles, teamed with Seth Wilson to stop the 2-point try.
After Brody Chambers (shown blocking for Rhett Nietert) recovered an onside kick the Bearcats got to the Fordyce 19 but was stopped on fourth down with 30 seconds to go in the half.
Clint Osborne started the second half with a tackle for a loss but Fordyce would convert a third-and-12 and eventually reach the Bearcat 33 before giving the ball up on downs with 7:31 left in the third quarter.
The Bearcats were almost completely stymied in the quarter, running eight total plays but gaining just 4 yards.
The final quarter began even worse – with a 9-yard loss that forced a punt.
But the Bearcats would force a Redbug punt – both teams punted five times
Chambers sparked the offense with a 49-yard run to flip the field but a turnover on downs gave Fordyce the ball at their 31 with 6:33 to play.
The Bearcat defense forced a three-and-out and, having used a couple of time outs before a short punt the offense the ball at the Redbug 39 with 5:15 to play.
Chambers, who ran for 119 yards in the second half and 132 in the game, went 39 yards for a touchdown to make it 18-13 with 5:06 to go.
A 2-point conversion attempt had to be snapped from the Fordyce 8 due to a false start and a Rhett Nietert pass was broken up.
Haller and the defense again forced a three-and-punt and the Bearcats had the ball 81 yards from a finals appearance with 3:59 to play.
Chambers converted a fourth down with a 20-yard carry to the 47 but four downs later an incomplete pass gave Fordyce the ball with 57 seconds to play.
