Saturday, October 24, 2020

‘Lil Tigers Senior Squad Clinches Undefeated Championship

Worth County’s ‘Lil Tigers Senior Squad capped off an undefeated season Saturday by knocking off Bedford 42-8. The Tigers jumped out on Bedford early; the Bulldogs made a stand through much of the second quarter. But after a late stop in the first half, Worth County got back on track and pulled away for the win.

The Tigers set the tone right off the bat as Dylan Smith got a pick to set up a short field at the Bedford 27. Caleb New ripped off 14 yards, Cole Ruby caught a shovel pass for nine to the four, and then Bo Collins caught a pass for a score from Hayden Sanders to put the Tigers up 8-0 after Caleb New caught the extra point pass.

Like the week before against East Union, Ethan Linninger was a wrecking crew in the backfield, shooting the gaps and dropping Bedford backs for losses all afternoon. He had a tackle for loss on the ensuing series, and Bedford was forced to punt.

Worth County was faced with fourth and inches at its own 27, but elected to go for it and Caleb New converted a sweep for 19 yards to the Bedford 34. The Tigers overcame a sack as New took off again, taking a cutback run 35 yards to the house with 5:52 left to make it 14-0.

Bedford was faced with fourth and one on its own 35 and tried to go for it, but a fumbled snap was pounced on by Lance Runde, and the Tigers took over. They could not do anything with it, but then Hayden Sanders had a strip and fumble recovery at the Bedford 33. One play later, Cole Ruby weaved his way through traffic for a score and Bo Collins caught the extra point pass to make it 22-0 with 10:09 left. 

Bedford finally found daylight with a 36 yard cutback run from John Deemer to the Tiger 11, and then a pass from Trace Ewart to Dallyn Neudorff put Bedford on the board at 22-8 with 5:35 left after a pass to Deemer.

Worth County tried to go for it on fourth and ten at the Bedford 34, but a sack gave Bedford good field position at midfield. A score would have made it a brand new ballgame, but Worth County made a stand, holding Bedford at the 19 as the first half time expired.

The Tigers were able to refocus during halftime and came out strongly in the second half. The blocking was much better, with the linemen doing much better at holding their blocks. Caleb New ripped off gains of 16 and 4 before taking one 35 yards to the house with 13:34 left in the third. Bo Collins caught the extra point pass to make it 30-8.

Worth County forced its fourth Bedford turnover as Caleb New stole a pitch and Worth County set up at the Bedford 35. Cole Ruby and Caleb New marched the ball down to the 15, when Caleb New threw a strike to Bo Collins for a score to make it 36-8 with 4:55 left in the third. 

The Tigers scored again after Lance Runde stopped Deemer two yards short of a first down on the Bedford 33. They only needed one play to score their final tally as Bedford tried a blitz, but overran Cole Ruby, who took it to the house for the final score. Bo Collins batted down two passes on the defensive end in the closing minutes as Bedford was trying some desperation passes in an effort to get back into the game.


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