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Bulldogs roll to big win over visiting Bruins
By John Gunther, Sports Editor
Saturday, October 20, 2007 | 1 comment(s)
NORTH BEND - The North Bend Bulldogs have put the Far West League-opening loss to Siuslaw far in their rear-view mirrors.
Playing mistake-free football, the Bulldogs blew out visiting Brookings-Harbor 55-13 for their second straight dominant victory.
“I think our kids have found their mojo now,” North Bend coach Bill Masei said after his team’s offense rolled up 499 yards without committing a turnover, and his first-string defense kept the Bruins off the scoreboard.
“Our defense played well again. Our offense found their groove.”
The only time North Bend sputtered on offense all night was on the first drive, when the Bulldogs went for it on fourth-and-three from the Brookings-Harbor 29 and Shawn Mitchell’s run deep into the Bruins’ backfield was nullified by a holding penalty, leading to North Bend’s only punt of the night.
After that, it was a scoring fest for the Bulldogs.
Mitchell juked around the right end, just getting his feet into the end zone before being pushed out of bounds on a 5-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter to put North Bend up 7-0.
The Bruins followed with their best sustained drive of the night, moving the ball to North Bend’s 5-yard line. But Tyler Parke’s field goal attempt was blocked by Andrew Slack and Mitchell picked up the ball and returned it to North Bend’s 33.
Two plays later, Kale Forrester broke through a monstrous hole in the center of the line and rambled 67 yards for a touchdown.
After a Brookings-Harbor punt, Ethan Ottemiller hit Luke Clark with a 29-yard scoring pass after Clark faked his defender at the line of scrimmage to get wide open behind the defense.
Alex Clark booted the first of two field goals with six seconds remaining in the second quarter to give the Bulldogs a 24-0 lead at the break.
The second half brought more of the same.
Clark made a diving grab in the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown on North Bend’s first drive.
After an interception by Chipper Goode, Lane Seals ran 36 yards for another score.
The Bulldogs recovered Alex Clark’s squib kick after Seals’ touchdown and Clark nailed a 19-yard field goal from the left hash mark.
Elliot Adams forced and recovered a fumble by the Bruins and Mitchell scored on a 25-yard run.
That gave North Bend a 48-0 lead and started a running clock.
It also meant the end of the night for North Bend’s starters on offense and defense.
The Bruins sandwiched touchdown runs by Nick Morris and Dustin Paradis around a North Bend score by backup running back Shane Halford to produce the final score.
After the game, North Bend’s players could find little to complain about.
“I think we played hard and fast and it showed out here,” said Seals, who led the team with 109 yards on eight carries. “We put a lot of points on the board and the defense held them.”
North Bend rushed for 363 yards, including 95 by Forrester, 72 by Mitchell and 65 by Halford. Meanwhile, Ottemiller went 6-for-11 passing for 136 yards, with Luke Clark collecting four of those receptions for 108 yards.
“Ethan did a great job,” Clark said. “The O-line did a great job giving him time.”
Brookings-Harbor never came close to sacking Ottemiller in the game.
The other big element was Alex Clark, who was perfect on all his kicks.
“Alex did a great job again,” Luke Clark said. “Having him consistent always helps.”
So does scoring a lot of points early.
“It’s always good to get the other guys in who bust their butts all week,” Luke Clark said.
Since the agonizing overtime loss to Siuslaw, North Bend has shown no signs of letting up. Next up, the Bulldogs visit Douglas, which won its first league game Friday against South Umpqua after two close losses.
“I’d say we picked up a lot of momentum in that South Umpqua game and we want to carry that through,” Seals said. “You saw that tonight.”
If there is one big concern, Masei said, it’s injuries.
Tight end Bryce Weidman left the game early with a shoulder injury and Seals had a big ice bag on his ankle after the contest.
“We’ve got some kids banged up,” Masei said.
But he couldn’t complain about the performance on the field, including the two turnovers.
“We are plus-five in the turnover ratio now,” Masei said. “That’s where we need to be. We’ll keep winning football games if we can take care of the football.”
Brookings-Harbor coach Jim Keys, on the other hand, said his team was hurt by its miscues.
“We made a lot of mistakes,” he said, while giving credit to North Bend.
“They’re getting ready for the playoffs,” he said.
The Bruins still can rebound for the playoffs with wins over Sutherlin next week and South Umpqua to finish the season.
“We’ve got a fight going next week,” he said of the game against Sutherlin, which lost its first league contest to Siuslaw on Friday.
Playing mistake-free football, the Bulldogs blew out visiting Brookings-Harbor 55-13 for their second straight dominant victory.
“I think our kids have found their mojo now,” North Bend coach Bill Masei said after his team’s offense rolled up 499 yards without committing a turnover, and his first-string defense kept the Bruins off the scoreboard.
“Our defense played well again. Our offense found their groove.”
The only time North Bend sputtered on offense all night was on the first drive, when the Bulldogs went for it on fourth-and-three from the Brookings-Harbor 29 and Shawn Mitchell’s run deep into the Bruins’ backfield was nullified by a holding penalty, leading to North Bend’s only punt of the night.
After that, it was a scoring fest for the Bulldogs.
Mitchell juked around the right end, just getting his feet into the end zone before being pushed out of bounds on a 5-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter to put North Bend up 7-0.
The Bruins followed with their best sustained drive of the night, moving the ball to North Bend’s 5-yard line. But Tyler Parke’s field goal attempt was blocked by Andrew Slack and Mitchell picked up the ball and returned it to North Bend’s 33.
Two plays later, Kale Forrester broke through a monstrous hole in the center of the line and rambled 67 yards for a touchdown.
After a Brookings-Harbor punt, Ethan Ottemiller hit Luke Clark with a 29-yard scoring pass after Clark faked his defender at the line of scrimmage to get wide open behind the defense.
Alex Clark booted the first of two field goals with six seconds remaining in the second quarter to give the Bulldogs a 24-0 lead at the break.
The second half brought more of the same.
Clark made a diving grab in the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown on North Bend’s first drive.
After an interception by Chipper Goode, Lane Seals ran 36 yards for another score.
The Bulldogs recovered Alex Clark’s squib kick after Seals’ touchdown and Clark nailed a 19-yard field goal from the left hash mark.
Elliot Adams forced and recovered a fumble by the Bruins and Mitchell scored on a 25-yard run.
That gave North Bend a 48-0 lead and started a running clock.
It also meant the end of the night for North Bend’s starters on offense and defense.
The Bruins sandwiched touchdown runs by Nick Morris and Dustin Paradis around a North Bend score by backup running back Shane Halford to produce the final score.
After the game, North Bend’s players could find little to complain about.
“I think we played hard and fast and it showed out here,” said Seals, who led the team with 109 yards on eight carries. “We put a lot of points on the board and the defense held them.”
North Bend rushed for 363 yards, including 95 by Forrester, 72 by Mitchell and 65 by Halford. Meanwhile, Ottemiller went 6-for-11 passing for 136 yards, with Luke Clark collecting four of those receptions for 108 yards.
“Ethan did a great job,” Clark said. “The O-line did a great job giving him time.”
Brookings-Harbor never came close to sacking Ottemiller in the game.
The other big element was Alex Clark, who was perfect on all his kicks.
“Alex did a great job again,” Luke Clark said. “Having him consistent always helps.”
So does scoring a lot of points early.
“It’s always good to get the other guys in who bust their butts all week,” Luke Clark said.
Since the agonizing overtime loss to Siuslaw, North Bend has shown no signs of letting up. Next up, the Bulldogs visit Douglas, which won its first league game Friday against South Umpqua after two close losses.
“I’d say we picked up a lot of momentum in that South Umpqua game and we want to carry that through,” Seals said. “You saw that tonight.”
If there is one big concern, Masei said, it’s injuries.
Tight end Bryce Weidman left the game early with a shoulder injury and Seals had a big ice bag on his ankle after the contest.
“We’ve got some kids banged up,” Masei said.
But he couldn’t complain about the performance on the field, including the two turnovers.
“We are plus-five in the turnover ratio now,” Masei said. “That’s where we need to be. We’ll keep winning football games if we can take care of the football.”
Brookings-Harbor coach Jim Keys, on the other hand, said his team was hurt by its miscues.
“We made a lot of mistakes,” he said, while giving credit to North Bend.
“They’re getting ready for the playoffs,” he said.
The Bruins still can rebound for the playoffs with wins over Sutherlin next week and South Umpqua to finish the season.
“We’ve got a fight going next week,” he said of the game against Sutherlin, which lost its first league contest to Siuslaw on Friday.
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