Bears 16 John Carroll 21

The Patriots v. the Bears was likely to be a typical 1^st game of the season—mental errors, penalties and the like. John Carroll battles in the competitive MIAA B division. Their fans drove from Bel Air to support their boys. The Catholic School was named for one of Maryland’s most prominent families.

The home team did not evidence the normal early September problem. The visitors won the toss and elected to defer. Taylor Best received the opening kickoff and with excellent blocking from his teammates set them up for 1^st and ten @ JC’s 25. On the next play Nathan Furgeson connected with Christopher Wells for a TD at 11:42. The PAT team of Zachery Abramson (center) to Sean Murray (holder) to Chase Robertson (kicker) flawlessly converted, Bears 7 Patriots 0

The next series saw the Pats gain tow 1^st downs and then stopped. Penalties and incompletions stalled the visitors’ next set of downs. Landon’s O held the ball for 10 plays, but their own penalties and some miscues resulted in a punting down. Carroll on their second possession exhibited the September skitters and a first down pass was tipped, and Ty Reyes intercepted the ball.

With the ball only 35 yards away from a TD, the Nathan to Christopher pass resulted in Bears’ TD #2 @ 5:59. The PAT team made it two for two. Bears 14 Patriots 0

The remainder of Q1 was uneventful, but the next 12 minutes saw the Patriots figure out their O and the scored on a 5 yard pass @ 6:21. A snap over the PAT holder’s head squashed the extra point. Bears 14 Patriots 6.

Landon turned over possession after 3 plays, but the Patriots returned the ball when Chase Roberson intercepted a second JC QB pass. The Bears could not capitalize but the visitors squandered the last 3:30

HALFTIME BEARS 14 PATRIOTS 6

Penalties, fumbles and interceptions made the next period immemorable. Landon had a great goal line stand, but again the O did not march down the field as was down in the 1^st Q. However, the Patriots scored twice in Q3, but only one ( 40 yards) counted; an earlier apparent visitors’ TD was negated by a penalty. JC successfully converted a 2 point play to make it Patriots 14 Bears 14 @ 3:53. Nothing of great consequence happened from 3:52 to 0:00

END OF Q3 Patriots 14 Bears 14

Early in the last stanza, a Landon interception gave their opponents the go ahead score. Patriots 21 Bears 14

The next home team possession resulted in a blocked punt, but another Patriot penalty stopped them. Landon drove the ball 39 yards, mostly on QB runs against the JC prevent defense. The visitors wound down the clock and on their 4^th down, the punter intentionally took a safety. Patriots 21 Bears 16

After receiving a punt, Landon incurred another interception and the Patriots took a knee to end the game.  

FINAL SCORE Patriots 21 Bears 16

NEXT WEEK @St. Paul’s (1-0)