Despite RB duo, OL push, Dawgs lose 2nd heartbreaker
ALCOA — Despite a dominant running game in the second half seemingly placing Bearden in control of its fate against seven-time defending Class 3A state champ Alcoa at AHS, the lights went out on Bearden’s bid for an upset victory — figuratively and literally.
For a second straight week, a defending state champ had a game-winning drive exceeding 90 yards in the closing seconds against the Bulldogs (0-2).
One yard away from a two-score lead, first-and-goal at the Tornadoes’ 1-yard line with five minutes to play while already leading 13-10, Bearden fumbled and Alcoa (2-0) recovered.
The home team then marched 99 yards, ending with quarterback Cody Pagach’s 16-yard touchdown pass to Eli Owens with 1:31 to play, putting the Tornadoes ahead 17-13.
With Bearden at its own 43 and just under one minute to play, the stadium lights went out just after Drew Parrott’s second-and-15 pass sailed out of bounds.
A roughly 20-minute wait could not rejuvinate the Bulldogs, losing the ball on downs inside the BHS 40 with 22 seconds to play following a fourth-down sack.
As for doing some special things victory-wise, “We are so, so close,” BHS head coach Josh Jones said.
However, the outcome couldn’t overshadow the powerful, yet elusive Bearden running attack led by senior Jaheim Merriweather, a Purdue commitment (23 carries for 126 yards and a touchdown), and sophomore Jayzon Thompson.
“Two weeks in a row we’ve competed our guts out,” Jones said. “We were down two starters on the offensive line, and obviously that didn’t show. I couldn’t be more proud of the offensive line, the running backs, the tight ends — even the receivers were blocking.”
Offensive linemen praised were left tackle Brody Smith, left guard Ethan Champlin, center Jaxson Davis, right guard Isaiah Harvey and right tackle Joe Scott.
“(Scott) is a senior, the rest are underclassmen,” the Bulldogs head coach said.
“And our defense, that’s a really good program. ... For them to come out and compete the way they did, holding them to 17 points was special,” he added.
Rest of the scoring
Bearden took advantage of an Alcoa fumble in the second quarter, recovering at the AHS 17 and scoring on a third-down 3-yard keeper by junior quarterback Drew Parrott. Merriweather ripped off a 14-yard run to begin the short drive.
The Tornadoes traveled inside the Bulldogs 10 before being stopped, setting for a late second quarter field goal. It was 6-3 Bearden at haltime.
Taking the second-half opening kickoff, Alcoa used a 48-yard pass completion, on a diving catch, to reach the BHS 11 before scoring on a third-and-8 pass play from the Bearden 9.
But the Bulldogs responded with lots of Merriweather and Thompson. Merriweather scored from 6 yards out to put the Bulldogs back ahead 13-10.
Other Bearden notes
Senior Sam Tummins, standout defensive back/wide receiver, picked off a Pagach pass in the first quarter.
