Hart Makes It Look Easy, 52-12 : Bonds Passes for 3 Touchdowns in Rout of Verbum Dei

Verbum Dei High was supposed to make Friday night’s Northwestern Conference quarterfinal with Hart, well, a game.

But Hart made it a mockery, winning, 52-12, at the College of the Canyons.

“That was a good football team we beat tonight,” Coach Rick Scott said. “We were just better.”

Much better.

Hart moves on to next week’s semifinals against Santa Maria, a 20-14 winner over Redondo on Friday.

Hart’s defense contained Verbum Dei’s speedy skill-position players. On offense, Hart passed at will. A marked size advantage in the line was the difference.

“We were able to manhandle them,” Scott said. “Our idea was to try and contain them. And if you give our offense a couple of shots, you’re in trouble.”

Big trouble, if you are a Verbum Dei team taken out of your running game.

After trailing, 38-0, at halftime, Eagles’ quarterback Derrick Billoups threw 15 times in the second half--more attempts than he had in several games combined.

“Taking them out of their game was crucial,” Scott said. “It put us in good position at the half.”

Hart, which played almost the entire first half on Verbum Dei’s side of the field, scored on six of seven possessions.

On Hart’s initial drive, fullback Andy Iacenda scored his first of three touchdowns on a one-yard run, ending a five-play drive that started on Verbum Dei’s 43-yard line.

Jim Harper kicked a 42-yard field goal to give Hart a 10-0 first-quarter lead.

The second quarter got almost comical--quarterback Jim Bonds using a short passing attack to direct the offense, and linebacker Frank Williams recovering a fumble to lead a swarming defense.

Bonds had a good first half, completing 16 of 21 passes for 257 yards, including touchdown throws of 37 and 29 yards to wide receiver Bryan Millner and tailback Chris Hite. Bonds finished 26 of 38 for 336 yards and three touchdowns.

Hart’s defense allowed 23 first-half yards passing on one completion and just 35 yards rushing on 15 carries. Dustin Stroust and Jeff Piper had interceptions.

Bonds threw two interceptions and two incomplete passes on his first four attempts in the second half. His first interception at his team’s 18-yard line led to running back Doug Lewis’ 13-yard touchdown run.

After the kickoff, Bonds threw another interception with 9:08 left in the third quarter.

But Hart’s defense got tough, pressuring Billoups to incomplete four consecutive passes and stifling the Eagles’ drive at the Indians’ 41-yard line.

Hart’s next offensive drive also short-circuited. After catching a six-yard pass from Bonds, Darrin Kellaris fumbled at Verbum Dei’s 36-yard line.

But Hart again stopped Verbum Dei, this time when defensive tackle Tim Gorman recovered a Billoups fumble on the Indians’ 40-yard line.

“Our defense was all over the field tonight,” Scott said. “We have a good offense, but it was the defense that did it. They made it easier for the offense.”

Hite, who caught 12 passes for 159 yards, scored both of Hart’s second-half touchdowns on a 12-yard run and a one-yard reception from Bonds.