Bearcats tame the Wildcats, 35-7 @BlanAthletics @PVBearcatsFball @CoachDye1 @PVCoachCoop @CavanCooper @trent_mettler @SEOhioPreps @GrubbCordell @Dax88207793 @BeauBlankenshi5

Tagged under: Beyond The Keystone, Game Photos, Gameday Hub

David Burnworth | August 20, 2021

Last night I made my way to Bainbridge to watch the Paint Valley Bearcats open their 2021 season against the Blanchester Wildcats. First, I have to say how cool it was to see fans in the stands again. Second, it was good to chat with Coach Dye before the game, and third, it was great to see the Paint Valley had copies of both team’s rosters printed and set out for anyone that needed them.

With 8:55 left in the opening quarter, the Wild cats got a nice little screen pass from Bryce Sipple to Sebastian Smith for seven yards down to the Bearcats thirteen. On fourth and six later on the drive Smith dropped a pass ending the drive. The drive did go for 58-yards on ten plays.

The Wildcats defense led by Ty Goodwin stopped Eli Mannon for a 3-yard loss with 7;29 left on the clock. Facing a fourth and seven deep in their own territory the Bearcats pulled off a sweet fake punt with hard running Cordell Grubb going to his right and picking up the first down. After the game Coach Dye said that was Coach Cooper’s call and it was a good one. The multi-talented Cavan Cooper would make a nice read and use his speed to go 75-yards for the first score of the game. After the game, I said to Cavan that might be the best game I have ever seen you play. For the record, he has had some fine games that I have been lucky enough to see. Dax Esptep would convert the point-after kick to give the Bearcats the 7-0 lead, with 4:54 left on the clock.

On the ensuing Wildcats drive Sipple used his feet to pick up 9-yards. Shortly after the nice pickup, Sipple would be hit by Dom Chambers for a loss of five. Dustin Trace made a big catch to the Bearcats eleven picking up about 40-yards on the play. Trace might be a player to keep an eye out for this year. Chambers using his speed from his defensive end position would get to Smith for a 4-yard loss, with 2:40 left in the competitive first quarter. The promising drive ended when Just Hall made a Deion (Prime Time) Sanders-like pick in the endzone, with 1:48 showing on the clock.

Grubb would go for 22-yards, which was the last big play of the opening quarter to get the ensuing Bearcat drive off to a good start. Chambers would pick up about 10-yards on fourth and two to move the chains but the talented Sophomore was injured on the play. He did not return to play after the injury. I did see him on my way out of the stadium and he was on crutches. Cooper would find Estep for a nice 13-yard gain, with 8:54 left in the half. A little under a minute later the Wildcats got a nice play from Seth Coyle when he stopped Grubb for no gain. The drive ended when Copper plowed in from 2-yards out. Grubb converted the two-point run to give the Bearcats the 15-0 lead, with 5:38 left in the half.

The Bearcats defense made quick work of the Wildcats offense on the ensuing drive with Eli Smith getting a nice hit on Sipple for a short loss. Cooper would find Big Beau Blankenship for a big 22-yard gain, with 3:57 showing on the clock. This became a 22-0 game when Cooper hit the talented Trent Mettler for a 20-yard score and Estephitting the point-after kick. A bad snap led to Sipple fumbling the ball and Blankenship pouncing on it. Ten seconds later Estep hit Cooper for the 13-yard score. Estep connected again to make this 29-0 game.

Jacob Hamm would pick Estep off with 9:06 left in the third. Estep would move from wide receiver to quarterback after Cooper was moved to running back after two backs were injured for the Bearcats. Overall Estep did a fine job running the offense and Cooper, who does it all was superb at the running back slot. The Bearcats responded in a big way after the Wildcats got the ball. First, Cooper laid a Ronnie Lott-like hit on Carson Curless, then the PAFOOTBALLNEWS HIT OF THE GAME WAS DELIVERED BY 6-7, 295 POUND KADEN HENDERSON causing a fumble that Grubb recovered. I have to give thanks to the guys in front of me for calling out who recovered the fumble because I was looking to see if the ball carrier was alright, after the hit. Estep would hit Dillon McDonald for a 25-yard gain, with 7:07 left in the quarter. The last big play of the third came when Blankenship got to Sipple for a 10-yard sack.

Estep found Blanship for a nice little pass that turned into close to a 50-yard gain thanks to Blankenship’s ability to break a tackle. Mettler just missed making a Drew Pearson-like catch, that would have been a touchdown. One play later Estep would hit Cooper, who made a great move to get open for a 38-yard touchdown putting the home team up 35-0.

The Bearcats starting defense was on the bench when the Wildcats, who had kept a lot of their starting offense in the game was able to avoid the shutout when Frump worked his way in for a 1-yard score. Bryan Bandow added the point after kick giving us our final score of 35-7.

Unofficial Stats

Wildcats

48 plays

169 yards

Passing 11-22 1 Int

Bearcats

43 Plays

327 yards

Passing 11-16 3 Td’s 1 Int

#BEYONDTHEKEYSTONE

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