Bulldogs rip Burns 54-6 in first round

By: 
David Peck

If momentum means anything in high school sports, the Lovell Bulldogs should be looking good as they advance in the playoffs, because they have it – in spades.

The Bulldogs crushed the Burns Broncs – the third seed from the East – in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs Friday night at Kevin P. Robertson Stadium, 54-6, setting up a semifinal showdown between frequent playoff rivals Lovell and Big Horn Friday in Big Horn.

Lovell has now outscored its last two opponents – both of them playoff teams (Cokeville and Burns) – by a combined score of 101-26.

The Bulldogs had the ball eight times and scored seven touchdowns, and they forced four turnovers and four punts, also stopping the Broncs on fourth down twice.

Head coach Nicc Crosby said he believes a tough defense has been the key to the Bulldog surge.

“I really think the biggest difference as the season has progressed is how much better our defense is playing,” he said. “We’ve had a really great defensive effort from the second half of the Thermopolis game until now. We’ve forced a lot of turnovers, shored up our run defense. We’ve improved quite a bit with our pass defense, and we’ve used that momentum our defense has given us, including good field position, and have taken advantage on offense.”

Health and depth have been major factors in the Bulldog defense, Crosby said.

“We’ve had some injuries this year that have helped us create some depth at positions, and we’ve really been able to see what certain less experienced players bring to the table,” he said, noting Jarrett Allen, Cash Wassmer and Kasey Jordan as examples. “Then, when we’re healthy, we’re able to rotate guys more freely and keep guys fresh.

“Our chemistry is getting better, too. The guys are working together and trusting each other more. Coach (AJ) Montanez and the rest of the staff have really been working since the first couple of games when we gave up a lot of yards and points to get things turned around. The guys are just playing faster and with a lot more confidence now. It’s been really fun to be a part of.”

The Bulldogs rolled up 405 yards of total offense Friday with a relentless running game and timely passing attack, while Burns finished with 115 yards of total offense.

“Burns has been pretty good with their pass defense this year but have had trouble stopping the run,” Crosby noted. “Watching film, we certainly felt like we have the guys who could exploit them on the edges. We were able to do a lot of the same type of plays that were successful against Cokeville.”

A major key to the outside running attack was downfield blocking, Crosby said.

“One thing we preach all season long is, ‘We can have five-yard plays, but if we want big gains, we have to block to the whistle.’ That includes receivers, running backs, the quarterback and linemen.

“The other thing that really helped our running game was carrying out good fakes. On the first long touchdown run by Matthew (Newman), in addition to great blocking and running, the (Burns) free safety was convinced that Davin (Crosby, quarterback) had the ball. It was almost comical. He carried out a great fake.”

Bowling over Burns

Lovell got rolling from the get-go. After forcing Burns three and out on the first series of the game, the Bulldogs drove 61 yards to score. Passes from Davin Crosby to Braxton Felkins and Owen Walker and runs by Chase Crosby and Felkins set up a 23-yard touchdown pass from Davin Crosby to Walker, who went high in the end zone to snare the aerial. The try for a two-point conversion failed, and Lovell led 6-0.

Burns gained two first downs on the Broncs’ second possession, but back-to-back sacks forced a punt.

This time Lovell drove 78 yards to reach pay dirt. A 23-yard burst by Chase Crosby got the drive started, and runs of eight by Newman and 10 by Davin Crosby reached the Burns 37-yard line. Newman then burst around left end and turned on the afterburners for a 37-yard touchdown run. Mikkel Klepp booted the PAT, and Lovell led 13-0.

Burns again had the ball in Lovell territory on the ensuing series, but Newman intercepted a Mason Medley pass and returned the pick 48 yards to the Burns 17. The Bulldogs again worked the edges. Chase Crosby carried for seven yards around the right end, and Newman burst around left end for a 10-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter. With the PAT Lovell led 20-0.

Following the third punt of the game by Burns, Lovell drove 51 yards but fumbled at the Burns 34. The Lovell defense held again, and the Bulldogs drove 65 yards. A 23-yard pass to Chase Crosby set up a 38-yard touchdown toss deep over the middle from Davin Crosby to Newman, who leapt high for the reception and scored – 27-0 Lovell.

The next Burns series was a disaster. A holding penalty was followed by a stop for zero and a sack. Burns then tried a hook and ladder, and while the hook worked, the ladder didn’t as Mason Terry caught a pass and tried to lateral the football to a teammate, only to see Felkins scoop up the loose pigskin and race 10 yards to the end zone. Lovell led 33-0 (PAT failed) with 3:21 to play in the first half.

The mistake prone Broncs gave the Bulldogs another gift when a Medley pass was picked off deep by Walker, who returned the interception 47 yards to the Burns 8. Tackle turned fullback Kalell Gruell powered in from a yard out four plays later, and the Bulldogs found themselves up 40-0 in the waning moments of the first half.

Running clock time

Burns successfully executed an on-side kick to begin the second half and drove to the Lovell 41 but gave the ball up on downs. Lovell drove 59 yards to score on a 10-yard run by Davin Crosby. Lovell led 47-0, starting the running clock mercy rule.

Burns threatened again, driving to the Lovell 1, only to lose a yard and six yards on consecutive plays, turning the football back to Lovell. The Bulldogs took the ball 92 yards in six plays including a 40-yard ramble by Gruell and an eight-yard run by Parker Steenbakkers, with an unsportsmanlike behavior penalty tacked on. Felkins slashed up the middle to score from 21 yards out, and Lovell led 54-0.

Burns finally broke the shutout in the final minutes of the game when Medley hit Terry deep down the left sideline. He stepped in front of a Lovell defender and took the ball 84 yards for a touchdown. The PAT failed, and Lovell led by the final score of 54-6. Burns recovered the live ball on the ensuing kickoff, but Newman intercepted a pass on the final play of the game.

Davin Crosby completed eight of 13 passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns in the contest. Walker caught three passes for 54 yards, Felkins two for 6 yards, Newman one for 38, Chase Crosby one for 23 and Owen Edwards one for 5.

Felkins rushed for 78 yards on seven carries, Newman 56 yards on four carries, Davin Crosby 49 yards on seven carries, Gruell 43 yards on three carries, Chase Crosby 42 yards on four carries and Parker Steenbakkers 11 yards on two tries.

Semifinal game

The Bulldogs will now take to the road to Big Horn Friday, kicking off against the Rams at 4 p.m. Lovell beat Big Horn 33-27 in last year’s season opener, but Big Horn beat Lovell 49-28 in the first round of the playoffs on a bitterly cold night in Big Horn, then won this year’s opener in Lovell, 28-24.

The top-ranked Rams are 9-0 this season, beating Lovell, Wheatland 55-0, Newcastle 50-7, Burns 49-7, Moorcroft by forfeit, Glenrock 54-14, Tongue River 55-6, Upton-Sundance 47-8 and, in the first round of the playoffs last week, Worland 34-13.

Coach Crosby said containing, if not stopping, the Big Horn offense is a key part of beating the Rams.

“You certainly need to make sure you’re not giving away chunk plays consistently,” he said, noting that key weapons are quarterback Avon Barney (#12) and running back Cruz Hernandez (#1). “You want to do your best to keep their quarterback and running backs from getting to the edge and turning the corner. Most of their big runs come off tackle or even wider. And when they get inside the 20 or 10, they have quite a bit of size to play smash mouth football.

“Their quarterback is a big, strong runner, and they have size on the line.

“Defensively, they use a three-man front, but they get pretty creative  with their fronts and use different blitzes. They play very aggressively on defense.”

The best way to slow the Big Horn offense, Crosby said, is for the Bulldogs to move the ball on offense, keep the ball and keep the Ram offense off the field and out of rhythm.

Offering thanks

Crosby said he would like to express his appreciation to all of the people who support the Bulldogs.

“A big thank you to our fans and the community,” he said. “They had the big flag (on a crane) and the light on it. That was a beautiful sight as you head onto the field. The fireworks were donated, and there were people to set them off. We reminded the team about all of the people in the community who support them.

“We told them they (the fans) deserve a show in the last game, and the way the boys played, they really took that to heart. We’re very fortunate where we live to have the support for our youth and their activities. We want everyone to know how grateful we are for the support.”

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