LANDON 21 EPISCOPAL 14

BearSportsNews TRIES to be accurate, but all too fallible eyes and the below mentioned poor sightlines led to a bad ERROR. A kind reader wrote to correct my mistake–the second TD was a reception by CHASE ROBERTSON. The reader also drilled down in the data to find A* statistic CHASE 15 points, EHS 14

This introductory statement is meant to express my GRATITUDE for such corrections. I actually welcome and appreciate such help. As a lawyer of 40+ years, I received thousands of criticisms about draft documents from clients. I realized that making the paper better is a good thing. I have no editor (except spell check and it doesn’t always catch typing errors) and strive to post these accounts of the BEARS. PLEASE, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO LET ME KNOW ABOUT ANY ERROR OR OMISSION.

The Bears went to the hallowed grounds of Alexandria to battle the Maroon. It has sat atop Holy Hill 130-acre since 1839 campus houses 440 students from 31 states, the District of Columbia and 16 countries. The boys celebrated as they exited the Hummel Bowl with a victory.  

WaPo rankings, based on an insider sharing a secret, more reflect selling papers than any analytical assessment. Be that as it may, the Bears beat our city’s #17 ranked team with great D, consistent/careful control of the ball and superior special teams. Based on the only comprehensive HS sports website, it appears that this may be the first win over a ranked opponent for at least 5 years. In 2017 Landon beat GP. They may have been ranked then, but it is certain that the little Hoyas, the next team on the schedule, are currently WaPo’s #16.  

The visitors won the toss and elected to defer. All-purpose player, CHASE ROBERTSON, put the kick-off into the end zone. 4 Maroon plays gained 3 yards in 4 plays.  

Landon’s first possession started at its own 20 and drove 50 yards in 12 plays. The ball turned over to the home team on downs. Being gracious hosts, EHS returned the ball to the Bear, when one of their players fumbled on the first play. This error was a catalyst for the Maryland team. Great field position + five plays + 16 yards (ANTHONY PANETTI TD run) =Bears 6 @0:56 of Q1 REMAINING. JACK LAPHAM snap to SEAN MURRAY’shold and CHASE’s kick made it BEARS 7 MAROON 0

The White Jerseys kicked the ball to the Black Jerseyed Maroons. Two Offensive plays moved scoreboard Q to 2, the 3rd play left a 4th and ten resulting in a punt. 

The Bears had the ball of their own 48. A pass from NATHAN FURGESON to TROY ULISNEY put the ball in EHS territory (+12). Runs by UBIE ZAID (+8), NATHAN (+7), ANTHONY (+3) were followed by a sweet NATHAN to CHASE TD Pass (+38) @ 8:08 REMAINING until halftime 13-0, PAT added the point to make it BEARS 14 MAROON 0

EHS consumed 3 minutes advancing the ball from their own 20 (yes, Chase again put the kick-off into the end zone) to the Landon 44. The 9th play in this drive was a 4th and 4 run—stopped for no gain. Bear O got to 4th and 2, but made the disciplined decision to punt. The Alexandrians showed some promise gaining 45 yards, setting up another crunch time—this situation was 4th and 9 on the Landon 15, but their runner tripped (Bear D pressure) for no gain. Landon ran the clock down with safe runs. 

HALFTIME BEARS 14 MAROON 0

The third stanza started auspiciously with Ubie returning the kickoff 40 yards through his speed, cuts, broken tackles, and superb blocking form his brother Bears. Though the line of scrimmage moved into EHS turf, an untimely penalty compelled another punt.  

The Humel Bowl break added some energy to the Maroon O—8 plays, 69 yards and their initial score @ 7:28 remaining in Q3. BEARS 14 MAROON 7.

Momentum swing??? Especially after an interception by the EHS D @6:43. The vociferous fans on the home side made it clear that they were taking charge. Premature exclamation for CHASE registered a 50 yard pick 6 TD @ 6:39. The 52-8-23 PAT team converted BEARS 21 MAROON 7.

Much credit to the #17 team, they did not fold. After receiving the kick, they drove 75 yards in 8 plays. Scoring on a 14 yard run with 3:29 remaining in this period. 

BEARS 21 MAROON 14

This was a time to test Landon’s character—good possessions and bend-but-not-break D. Both tactics would consume time to O:00. Landon moved the chains three consecutive times = move to the last 12:00 remaining.  

The Virginia team went 74 yards only to turn over the ball to Landon on a failed 4th-and-2 down 16 yards from a score. A fumble was recovered by ANTHONY to stifle this Episcopalian aspiration @7:39. “Bending-but-not-breaking” ate up 5 minutes. Landon ran 6 plays reducing the remining time to 4:45.  

Nathan’s punt and special team coverage placed their opponents from their goal. A QB sack and incompleted pass brough the ball back to the Bears with #;03 still on the game clock. Three big plays sealed the victory- NATHAN on a QB sneak advanced the line-to-gain from his 27 to EHS’s 41; DP POPE’s powerful legs kept it moving; ANTHONY took a pitch to advance. A EHS defensive pass interference call made it a fait accompli. Bear’s ball at the EHS 25 and permitted the coaches to instruct kneeling down to exhaust all hope. 

This was a team effort and unfortunately sight lines limited the recordation of all who contributed to this victory. What was most remarkable was the effort of every Bear. It is difficult to capture the contributions of offensive and defensive linemen, in particular; film review is needed to award “pancakes”. Further, the blocking schemes of Coach Padalino’s offense involve highly coordinated execution. The D relies on timed stunts and precise positioning. These young men play other sports at high levels- most 2 competitions and many 3. All that while they are carrying demanding academic courseloads!!! 

FINAL SCORE BEARS 21 MAROON 14

THOSE ARE BEARS_____________________________BEAT PREP