Photo by Tammie Martin/ossports
Cy-Fair – Bridgeland opened the playoffs in style by stamping its approval on a first-time goal.
The Bears are in the playoffs for the second consecutive season and are undefeated for the first time in school history. It also topped out as the No. 1 Cy-Fair ISD school after knocking off previous unbeaten, No 7 Cy-Fair in its final regular-season game.
That’s not all. Bridgeland (11-0) advanced to the second round of the playoffs by taking apart a sound opponent in Klein Collins, 41-18 in the Class 6A Division II Bi-District round on Thursday night at FCU Stadium.
The Bears will meet DeKaney next week in the Area round of the playoffs on Thursday at 7:00 PM.
Led by its defense, Bridgeland frustrated the Tigers’ offense, forcing seven turnovers. Three took place in the first quarter—a huge part of that effort steamed from linebacker Conner Motsinger, defensive backs Bryce McMorris, Gavan Kaspar, defensive linemen Oghenemine Imarah, Charles McKnight, and Aaron Vital.
Following its first possession’s three and out, the Bears scored 17 unanswered points and never looked back.
Bears’ quarterback Conner Weigman led the way, passing for 239 yards on 20-of-29 attempts and one touchdown. Mason rushed for 150 yards on 15 carries and three touchdowns. Hunter Wallis had six receptions for 97 yards, Aarevion Hunter caught seven balls for 66 yards, and Dylan Goffney added four receptions for 55 yards and a score.
The Bears made simple work of its first possession when junior running back Mason Culton turned an 81-yard touchdown into a foot race down the right sideline.
Not long after, talented defensive back McMorris blasted in from the left side, strip-sacking Tigers’ quarterback Colby Powers. Imarah scooped up the loose ball and sprinted 50-yards for the score, increasing the Bears lead, 14-0.
Bridgeland continued it’s all-around attack and led 17-0 as Ethan Hajdik connected on a 24-yard field goal with 10:22 remaining in the second quarter.
After turning the ball over on its first frame of the second quarter, Klein Collins (4-5) forced a turnover, which led to its first score. An 82-yard bomb from Powers to standout receiver Bruce Jackson III who fought through a couple of arm tackles free to gain the end zone, but Anthony Cantu’s extra point kick failed, and the Tigers trailed, 17-6.
The Bears answered, marching 62 yards in five plays. Culton’s nine-yard scoring run concluded the drive as Bridgeland bumped its lead, 24-6 with 3:23 to go in the second quarter.
Klein Collins’ defense played well. It forced one of its three turnovers when the Bears fail to convert a fake punt.
On an interesting note, the Tigers had no trouble moving the ball but sustaining a drive, mistakes, and turnovers proved to be its downfall.
Powers’ high school football career ended but not before he completed 16-of-33 attempts for 349 yards, two scores, and one interception. Jackson had a monster day receiving 11 passes for 224 and a touchdown.
The third quarter began with a promising start from the Tigers’ point. Defensive back, Jack Dlugosh stopped Culton on fourth and three at the Klein Collins 18. However, its following frame stalled.
Powers’ one-yard sneak gave Klein Collins its second score of the game; still, the Bears led, 31-12.
Immediately after, Ethan Wyatt recovered the onside kick, giving the Tigers possession at Bridgeland’s 47. Following, Powers threw a lateral to receiver Aiden Smith, who spotted Jonathan Lewis downfield at the nine.
Then, the Bears defense rose to the occasion as Imarah dropped Lewis for a two-yard loss before cornerback Conner Gower intercepted Powers and returned the ball 78 yards to the Klein Collins 21.
For the remainder of the game, Bridgeland outscored the Tigers, 10-6, finalizing the score, 41-18.