LANDON 20 GP 14

COACH PADALINO got his first taste of the Bears’ rivalry against the Hoyas. He brought a new wrinkle to his offense with an uneven offensive line, confidance in his boys on key downs and clock managment to beat the home team for their homecoming (the Bears’ 2nd victory against a team that brought their alums back).  In what was forecast to be a match between the Prep massive line men with their two high profile RBs against Landon’s smaller, but quicker line with their stable of RBs, THE BEARS OUTRUSHED GP 292 YARDS TO 193 YARDS.  BEARS JOHNNY LYNN (35 carries 143 yds, ITD) and WYNSTON BOUKNIGHT ( 9 for 107, 2 TD) versus the GP pair (#21 15 for 63yds; #25 5 for 26yds).

The Bears received the opening kickoff and started a promising drive that ended with a fumble. Prep took over, but the Landon D stopped them in three downs. The Hoyas had reviewed Landon’s previous game tapes amd threw a bubble screen that usually gave our boys trouble; it was stopped for NO GAIN. The visitors 2nd drive was stopped by an interception, and the boys in blue took the ball in for a score. A GP penalty moved the PAT attempt back and the ensuing kick was wide. GP 6 LANDON 0, at 2:48 of the 1st Q.

After a good kick off return by Antoine Hudson put the ball on our own 36, Lynn, Bouknight , Peter Laco and Pearce Minshall drove the ball 74 yards in 7 plays. Johnny Lynn drove it the final 4yards, Bradley Grossman made the PAT, LANDON 7, GP 6 11:29 of 2nd Q.

Grossman’s kick off went through the endzone; so Prep took over at the 20. The 4th GP play was a run by #21, which the Bears recovered. Four plays later,Wynston Bouknight carried the ball the final 4 yards. Grossman‘s PAT was good to make it LANDON 14 GP 6, 8:08 0f 2nd Q.

The Bear D forced another GP three-and-out, including two successful defenses against GP passes.

Landon took over at its own 37, Jeff Johnson, Laco, Minshall, Lynn and Bouknightmoved through the Hoyas D for 13 consecutive runs; the Bears used an uneven offensive line (Kevin Keegan, Alex Selowsky, Garrett Pan, Dillon Rupp, Ben Spiritos and Max Lehrman) and GP did not figure out how to defend it (nor did they adjust even after half time)!Wynston Bouknight had his second TD on a 4 yard run. The PAT was blocked, LANDON 20, GP 6 with 1:17 remaining until half time.

GP took over the ball with 1:05 left, tried 3 runs, but were frustrated by the much smaller Bear D ( Luke Howard, Terrence Fullum, Taylor Greene, Andrew Moore, Max Lehrman; Pearce Minshall, Drew Hayhurst, Alex Selowsky; Deion Wellington, Antoine Hudson, Will Laco, Patrick Kenna) frustrated the home team. With seconds left, Max Lehrman tried to introduce himself to the Prep QB,but  #5 threw the ball away. LANDON 20 GP 6 at half.

GP took the ball after a Grossman kick off and drove 17 plays to score, successfully converted a 2point play, LANDON 20 GP 14 @ 4:06 remaining in the 3rd Q.

 Landon had the ball for 8 plays,but GP took over with some momentum. The Prep RB #21 had a good gain, but took exception to a tackle and punched the opponent. That 15 yard penalty and another Lehrman sack forced the home team to punt at 11:48 remaining in the last quarter. The Bears took the ball and possessed it for the next 10 minutes on the clock. This drive included 3 different situations in which Coach Padalino decided to go for a 4th down and short. Lynn, Bouknight, and Minshall moved the ball down to 3yards from their goal. GP got the ball 97 yards from a score and with 89 seconds remaining. Twice the QB could not complete a pass and twice he was forced to run. On third down with 57.5 seconds remaining, the GP QB dropped back, was crushed by Terrence Fullum, fumbled the ball and Max Lehrman recovered it. The Bears’ defensive sealed the victory, but every boy and every coach on the Landon sideline were part of an important outcome against this MIAA (former IAC) football opponent.

The Landon students in attendance (who seemed to out cheer the home fans) formed a line to welcome their Bear brothers as they came off of the field victorious!!! A lot of happy parents, grandparents, alumni and fans were VERY proud of their BEARS!

BEAT StA @ HOME 11/13!!!

LOOK FORWARD TO A PREVIEW OF THE BULLDOGS AND A VERY INTERESTING BEAR TRACKS NEXT WEEK.