“Our defense played lights out in the second half and that is what won us this game!” said Montezuma football Coach John Beck after the Braves’ improbable comeback win over BGM.
The Braves outscored BGM 32-0 over the final 18:41 of play as Montezuma pulled out a 54-50 victory on Friday evening, Sept. 9, in Brooklyn.
The Bears put up 44 points in the first half in building a 30-point lead. Montezuma held BGM to six points in the second half.
How did they DO that?
“We made some changes up front and moved Tod Geiger (6-2, 250) inside to handle their big center and let the other guys use their speed on the outside to rally to the ball,” Beck said.
“Most of the time, Geiger was taking on multiple blockers on the inside and that allowed our other guys to rally to the ball,” the coach said.
“Our linebackers and secondary continue to improve! They were in a lot of good spots and were able to make some good plays,” Beck said.
“Carter Michalek was a tackling machine (11.5 stops, leading the Braves), and Eli Bustamante made some big plays,” added the coach.
For most of the first half, Bears quarterback Jacob Maurer displayed the talents that likely will make him an all-state candidate.
Maurer finished with 467 passing and rushing yards and was the only Bear to have a rushing attempt. Actually, he had 36 of them, good for 265 yards and three touchdowns. He passed for 202 yards, three touchdowns – and one big interception.
The Bears had their largest lead at 44-14 late in the half, when Braves defensive back Bustamante intercepted Maurer, with 17 seconds to play.
“After getting the ball set up at about the 40, we ran a sweep and took a time-out,” Beck said. “On the next play, Owen (Cook) hit Masin (Shearer) for a long (36 yards) touchdown. That seemed to help get momentum on our side,” said the coach.
That momentum didn’t kick in again right away in the third quarter.
“We got the ball, marched down the field, then had a bad snap and turned it over. BGM then went down and scored and we were down 50-22. But the boys never gave up!” Beck said.
“That is what I am so proud of; they just had the grit and perseverence to battle back!”
Braves quarterback Owen Cook put up some numbers of his own. He was 14-for-27 for 270 yards and five touchdowns, with one interception.
“That interception was on me,” Beck said. “We were taking a “shot” play and I told Owen that is where I wanted the ball.”
“We were able to chip away at their lead the rest of the game,” Beck said. We controlled the line of scrimmage for much f the third and fourth quarters.”
“Kennen Roadcap, Tod Geiger, Marty Knox and Landon Morrison did a great job handling a big line,” Beck said.
“After we started taking care of the ball, we were able to march down the field. Owen made good decisions and had some really nice throws,” the coach said.
“Our receivers showed they wanted the ball and Garrett Watts was phenomenal,” Beck said. “He was able to use his size (6-2) and go get the ball!”
Watts caught six passes for 172 yards and four touchdowns in a career night.
“Masin Shearer also played really well and his touchdown before the half was just an ‘I’m gonna’ win this play’ mentality,” Beck said.
Shearer caught seven passes totaling 94 yards and the aforementioned long (36 yards) touchdown.
“Our backs ran the ball hard all night and we were able to pick up some tough yards,” Beck said. “Our line played well tonight, especially in the second half. They gave Cook a clean pocket most of the night.”
“Roadcap, Geiger and Houston Van Roekel showed they are able to step up and fight through a lot of challenges,” Montezuma’s coach said.
“It truly was a tale of two halves,” Beck said. “In the first half, we were playing hard, but the ball just did not bounce our way. Turnovers on offense and missed tackles on defense played roles in our deficit.”
“We moved the ball well all night, but we have to do a better job of taking care of the football,” Beck said. “We fumbled too many times (lost three), and need to work on our snaps to get them more consistent,” he said.
UP NEXT – The Braves (3-1, 2-0 district), host Melcher-Dallas for homecoming at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16, at Badger-Gabriel Field.