|
|
Bradford
running back James Canan ran the ball for Bradford in a game
played earlier this season.
Friday night, Canan rushed for over 200
yards at Miami East but the Vikings prevailed in the end.
CNO File
Photo by Don Selanders
|
|
Miami East
silences Bradford in second half
Post season still possible for Roaders
By George Starks
CASSTOWN- With both Miami East and Bradford looking at possible
play-off berths, it was the Vikings that had more to lose than did
Bradford.
The Vikings entered the night with a 4-3 mark and was rated 19th in the
latest computer polls in D-V, Region 20.
Bradford came in with a solid 6-1 record and was fifth in the D-VI,
Region 24 polls.
Friday, the Vikings needed a win in the worst way and got it.
Despite a night when Bradford senior James Canan would carry the ball
26 times and rush for 226 yards with one score, it would not be enough
as Miami East would crush the Roaders, 33-14 on its homecoming night.
After a tough loss to Tri-County North a week ago, 24-17, East coach
Max Current knew what had to be done.
"The Canan boy has been running wild on everyone Bradford has played
this year," said Current. "I don't know if we can stop him but we have
to be able to slow him down and contain him a little bit, we will be in
this game."
Current had the right idea going in. Contain Canan.
Even though Canan would put up big numbers, including a 70 yard scoring
run, the Vikings defense stopped Canan and the Roaders when they needed
to.
It was a second half defense and huge games by junior Dalton Allen and
junior Robbie Adams that proved to be the difference.
After playing the first half to a 7-7 tie, Bradford got a short lived
lead when quarterback Brandon Wyson hit junior Daniel Cassel for a 33
yard strike with 6:15 remaining, giving Bradford a 14-7 advantage.
That would prove to be the beginning of the end for Bradford.
On the ensuing kick, junior Michael Fellers romped for 80 yards and the
score, taking a mere 17 seconds off the clock.
The PAT failed and the Roaders maintained a 14-13 advantage.
After a three and out, Bradford punted and at that point, Adams made
his voice heard, taking the ball 73 yards to the bank and making the
deposit for a 19-14 Miami East lead.
With the score favoring the Vikings after three quarters of play,
19-14, it didn't take long for East to strike in the final frame.
With 7:33 remaining in the game, Adams got in from five yards out,
giving the Vikes a 26-14 advantage.
The final daggar was placed in the Roaders backs when Allen would get a
pick six off Wysong with 6:37 left to play.
Allen would be a thorn in the side of Wysong on this night, picking off
two Wysong passes while Fellers would get one of his own as well.
With the Vikings leading rusher out due to injury (Conner Hellver),
current said it was going to give some other kids a chance to prove
themselves.
Adams would finish the game with 180 yards of rushing on 20 carries and
two scores, including a 73 yarder.
Fellers would add 58 yards of rushing to the pot while freshman
quarterback, Braxton Donaldson, in only his second start, would throw
just three passes and complete two for 60 yards. One of those passes
would be a 54 yard bomb to Allen for a touchdown.
With Covington blasting National Trail 78-6 and Bradford on the losing
end, the Buccs will win the Cross County Conference outright with a 8-0
record.
Bradford and Trail are both 6-2 overall and tied for second with the
Roaders holding the tie breaker there as Bradford defeated the Blazers.
|
|
|
|
