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If there was one call yelled more than any other during Saturday afternoon's game between Bear River and Hug, it was, “Water!”
At every break in play, clock stoppage or down moment, the top priority, even before strategy discussions and play calling, was to keep hydrated.
By some estimates, the temperature on the turf field at Del Oro High School reached 110 degrees.
The Bruins were even hotter, scoring 42 points and holding the Hug offense to just 96 total yards in a 42-13 win at the Battle at the Capital Football Showcase.
“I feel good,” said quarterback James Harris after the game. “I'm sweating. Everybody's sweating, but it's good to get the win – especially when it's so hot.”
Harris, third-year starter, ran for a touchdown to open the scoring on the first drive of the game, and Bear River (2-0) did not look back.
Every part of the offense was firing early in the game, and Bear River was up 28-7 by the end of the first half.
Harris threw for 129 yards and two touchdowns on 13 completions, and nine different players had carries for a Bruins running game that amassed 220 yards.
Coming off a strong game at Cordova in Zero Week, Devaughn Lofton kept up the pace with touchdowns on a 2-yard reception and a 4-yard run in the second quarter. He finished with 36 yards on the ground.
Josh Toft led Bear River rushers with 59 yards on 10 carries and added another 24 yards receiving. Michael Raigoza also ran for 25 yards and a touchdown.
“When you're up like that, everyone is psyched,” said Harris. “My job is to keep my head down and know that the other team can always come back.”
Most weeks, that would be true. But the way the Bruins' defense played, it was clear that they were in command of the game – command they would not relinquish.
After scoring a touchdown two minutes into the fourth quarter, Bear River gave the ball back to the Hawks on their own 43-yard line.
Twenty seconds later, Bruins linebacker Cody Heard was crossing the goal line in the other direction, having picked off a pass and returned it 43 yards for the touchdown.
Trevor McGhee also had an interception in the game, and Dillon Huffman and Jake Jarman each had a sack as Bear River held Hug's two quarterbacks to 13 yards passing.
“Defensively, we played really well,” said head coach Terry Logue. “There were a lot of good things out there. Right now, it's just fine tuning mistakes.”
The only anomaly on the day was an 82-yard rush for a touchdown by Hug running back Jonathan Watson. Bear River blocked the extra point.
Hug's only other score was a defensive touchdown on a fumble recovery and return. The Bruins' defense was relentless and will look to stay that way as they prepare for next week.
“We've got a tough, physical game coming up,” said Logue of Bear River's Week 3 matchup against Golden Sierra on Friday. “It's an old rivalry game, so it's big for both teams.”
The game will be the Bruins' home opener after a 2010 season that saw them go a perfect 5-0 at J. David Ramsey Stadium.
“Hopefully with a home game, that'll be part their motivation to prepare,” said Logue about the practice week ahead of his team. “There's no perfect game, but you're always in search of it.”
At every break in play, clock stoppage or down moment, the top priority, even before strategy discussions and play calling, was to keep hydrated.
By some estimates, the temperature on the turf field at Del Oro High School reached 110 degrees.
The Bruins were even hotter, scoring 42 points and holding the Hug offense to just 96 total yards in a 42-13 win at the Battle at the Capital Football Showcase.
“I feel good,” said quarterback James Harris after the game. “I'm sweating. Everybody's sweating, but it's good to get the win – especially when it's so hot.”
Harris, third-year starter, ran for a touchdown to open the scoring on the first drive of the game, and Bear River (2-0) did not look back.
Every part of the offense was firing early in the game, and Bear River was up 28-7 by the end of the first half.
Harris threw for 129 yards and two touchdowns on 13 completions, and nine different players had carries for a Bruins running game that amassed 220 yards.
Coming off a strong game at Cordova in Zero Week, Devaughn Lofton kept up the pace with touchdowns on a 2-yard reception and a 4-yard run in the second quarter. He finished with 36 yards on the ground.
Josh Toft led Bear River rushers with 59 yards on 10 carries and added another 24 yards receiving. Michael Raigoza also ran for 25 yards and a touchdown.
“When you're up like that, everyone is psyched,” said Harris. “My job is to keep my head down and know that the other team can always come back.”
Most weeks, that would be true. But the way the Bruins' defense played, it was clear that they were in command of the game – command they would not relinquish.
After scoring a touchdown two minutes into the fourth quarter, Bear River gave the ball back to the Hawks on their own 43-yard line.
Twenty seconds later, Bruins linebacker Cody Heard was crossing the goal line in the other direction, having picked off a pass and returned it 43 yards for the touchdown.
Trevor McGhee also had an interception in the game, and Dillon Huffman and Jake Jarman each had a sack as Bear River held Hug's two quarterbacks to 13 yards passing.
“Defensively, we played really well,” said head coach Terry Logue. “There were a lot of good things out there. Right now, it's just fine tuning mistakes.”
The only anomaly on the day was an 82-yard rush for a touchdown by Hug running back Jonathan Watson. Bear River blocked the extra point.
Hug's only other score was a defensive touchdown on a fumble recovery and return. The Bruins' defense was relentless and will look to stay that way as they prepare for next week.
“We've got a tough, physical game coming up,” said Logue of Bear River's Week 3 matchup against Golden Sierra on Friday. “It's an old rivalry game, so it's big for both teams.”
The game will be the Bruins' home opener after a 2010 season that saw them go a perfect 5-0 at J. David Ramsey Stadium.
“Hopefully with a home game, that'll be part their motivation to prepare,” said Logue about the practice week ahead of his team. “There's no perfect game, but you're always in search of it.”
To contact Sports Writer Anthony Barstow, e-mail abarstow@theunion.com or call 530-477-4232.
