JUNIOR BEARCAT OFFENSE BALANCED IN WIN OVER GATORS

If Thursday's plan of the Booneville Junior High Bearcats was a balanced attack, the mission was accomplished.

With five rushers gaining between 46 and 64 yards, and four of them scoring touchdowns, the Bearcats picked up their second Conference 3A-4 win of the year, 28-8 over Two Rivers in Ola Thursday night.

Quarterback Jace Washburn led the way with 64 yards on eight carries. He rumbled 13 yards for a touchdown with 4:18 to play that ended any Gator hopes.

Connor Droemer went for 60 yards on just three carries. He also had a 36-yard kickoff return.

Hunter Warren gained 53 yards on five carries, including a 35-yard bolt that gave the Bearcats a 6-0 lead at the 5:41 mark of the second quarter. Warren also ran for a two-point conversion after the Washburn touchdown.

Connor Lentz checked in with 49 yards on only four carries. He ran 4 yards for a touchdown with 0:16 left in the first half to finish a drive that began after a fourth down incomplete pass at the Two Rivers 40 with 1:53 to play in the half. Lentz also ran for the two-point conversion following his touchdown.

Chase Shelton picked up 46 yards on five carries and it was his 12-yard touchdown run that made it 20-8 with 4:02 left in the third quarter after the Gators had gotten within six points.

Running only 26 offensive plays to Two Rivers’ 40 meant the Bearcats also had big defensive numbers, led by Warren’ 15 and Demari Pool’s 13 total tackles.

Trevor Karow caused a fumble on the opening kickoff, which Lentz recovered, and finished having been in on nine tackles. Connor Roberts was in on eight, including 1.5 for a loss.

After getting the fumble to start the game, the Bearcats promptly lost a fumble of their own and Two Rivers had the ball the rest of the opening quarter.

A 4-yard negative yardage stop by Preston McKinnie helped turn the Gators away and the Bearcats went 80 yards in just four plays to get on the scoreboard.

After scoring just before halftime to make it 14-0, the Bearcats turned the ball over again on a fumble to start the second half and Two Rivers got within 14-8.

Shelton’s touchdown capped the next drive and after holding on downs at their 27, the Bearcats went 73 yards to the Washburn touchdown to clinch it.