BANGOR- The Belfast Lions defeated John Bapst on the road Friday night by a final score of 26-7 behind great games from RB Isaac Cunningham and QB Dylan Abbott.
How it happened:
1st Quarter: John Bapst elected to kickoff after winning the coin toss. Belfast QB Dylan Abbott completed a 27 Yard pass to Jack Hansen on the third play of the game to drive into John Bapst territory. Two plays later, Abbott threw an interception to end the drive.
After a couple drives by each team that resulted in punts, the Crusaders marched down the field into the red zone to end the 1st quarter.
Second Quarter: John Bapst QB Wilson Higgins connected with Max Chadwick for a 16 Yard touchdown to open the scoring on the first play of the second quarter to make the game 7-0.
On the ensuing kickoff, John Bapst recovered a muffed kick to keep possession. The Crusaders drove into Belfast territory, but a couple false start penalties resulted in a turnover on downs.
The first drive of then second quarter for the Lions gained momentum in a hurry as they got big rushes from Jack Hansen and Isaac Cunningham to set up a 20 yard touchdown pass from Abbott to Cunningham. A two point conversion attempt was no good to keep the score 7-6 in favor of the Crusaders.
Turnovers would plague the crusaders late in the second half as a fumble on the kickoff return recovered by Belfast in Bapst territory led to a three play scoring drive with Isaac Cunningham rushing for a three yard touchdown. Another two point conversion attempted was no good to make the score 12-7 John Bapst.
Another John Bapst kickoff return fumble would lead to another Lions drive into the red zone with inside a minute to go, but a sack from the John Bapst defense kept the score 12-7 headed into halftime.
3rd and 4th quarter: The Crusaders offensive struggles continued into the second half as they turned the ball over on downs on their first drive of the quarter.
Isaac Cunningham added another touchdown on the night on the Lions first drive of the quarter with a one yard rush touchdown. Cunningham added an interception returned for a touchdown on defense to extend the lead 26-7. Neither team scored again as the Lions defense held steady to open the season with a road win.
UP NEXT:
The Lions will be at home next week hosting Medomak Valley Friday September 13th at 7PM
The Crusaders will be on the road next week to take on Stearns which will also be Friday night at 7PM.
Belfast Top Performers
Cunningham- 85 Rush Yards, 20 REC Yards, 4 TDS (1 INT return TD)
Abbott- 65 Pass Yards, 52 Rush Yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
John Bapst Top Performers
Higgins- 5 Rush Yards, 61 Pass yards, 1 TD, 3 TO
Chadwick- 25 Rush Yards, 35 Pass Yards, 1 TD
