Bearcats corral Cowboys for key district win

    The Grandfield Bearcats used a stingy defensive effort to overcome four turnovers and claim a key 13-6 district win over the Ryan Cowboys on Friday.
    “It was kind of an ugly win,” Bearcat coach Larry Turner said, “but it was a win, and that’s the main thing.”

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    Grandfield’s offense rolled to 335 total yards, but it was the defense that was the difference in this one as the Bearcats held Ryan to 186 yards but more importantly just one score.
    Jacob Hall’s eight-yard run put the Cowboys up early just 3:40 into the first quarter.  But the Bearcat defense, led by Paul Castillo’s 15 tackles, stiffened up after that holding Ryan scoreless for the remaining 45:20 of the contest.
    “Defensively, I thought the whole team stepped up.” Turner said, “They played really well when we finally got the adjustments made, and it seemed like everyone was in double-digits in tackles.”
    The Cowboy’s defense couldn’t corral Bearcat quarterback Marshall Hargis, who ripped Ryan for 263 all-purpose yards including 151 yards rushing and 112 yards passing.
    Hargis connected with Cooper Catlege on a four-yard scoring strike with 10:19 remaining in the second quarter to tie the game.  Jose Romaro’s PAT put the Bearcats up for good, 7-6.
    Hargis added the game’s final score on a one-yard plunge with 4:15 remaining in the third and the Bearcat defense held on from there.
    Castillo was not alone in the defensive effort as Hargis and Andrew Franco both added 12 tackles apiece and Catlege chipped in 11 stops.  Franco also added a sack and 49 yards rushing.
    With the win Grandfield improves to 3-3 overall and 3-2 in district play.  The Bearcats now are in a dead heat for a playoff berth as they are tied for third with Corn Bible and Fox in a tight District C-2 race.
    The Bearcats host Fox on Thursday in a game with huge playoff implications.
    “Fox is a pretty salty bunch.” Turner said, “They throw the ball quite a bit, which concerns me because that’s been one of our weaker points, the pass defense.”
    The No. 9 ranked Foxes only district setbacks have been to District C-2’s top two teams, Paoli (28-20) and Temple (24-18), and they are coming off of a 46-0 dismantling of Corn Bible last Friday.
    Fur will fly on Thursday as the Bearcats host the Foxes in what could be a must-win district match-up for either team.  Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.