PREP FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS / THE SEMIFINALS : DIVISION X : Big Bear Stops Brethren Christian in Last Quarter

Big Bear’s high-scoring offense has powered the Bears through the Southern Section Division X playoffs but it was two defensive stands in the last quarter that gave them a semifinal victory.

Big Bear stopped Brethren Christian twice inside its 10-yard line in the final four minutes to earn a 24-14 victory Saturday night in front of 2,200 fans at Aquinas High. It was the 13th consecutive victory for the top-seeded Bears and moves them into the championship game next Saturday against Bishop at a site to be determined today.

Brethren Christian (9-4) spotted Big Bear a 10-0 lead in the first quarter but rallied to move within three points at halftime, 17-14. A second-half rally never materialized, however, as the Warriors self-destructed in the fourth quarter on a sloppy field that was left a mess after an all-day soccer tournament.

Brethren Christian trailed, 24-14, with seven minutes remaining in the game but twice drove inside Big Bear’s 10-yard line. The Warriors were at the eight-yard line when junior quarterback Reggie Davis tried to force a pass that was intercepted by Big Bear’s Ryan Molenkamp.

The Warriors also drove to Big Bear’s eight-yard line. A gadget play that saw Davis pass to wide receiver Scott Thomas, who turned and fired across the field to Davis for a 27-yard gain kept the Warriors’ hopes alive. But four plays netted minus-one yard with 1:01 remaining and the largely partisan Big Bear crowd began its celebration.

Davis’ inability to get the Warriors in the end zone twice spoiled an otherwise a fine ballgame. He rushed for 96 yards and a touchdown and passed for 110 yards and another touchdown to account for all of Brethren Christian’s scoring.

Afterward, Brethren Christian Coach Mike Roark could only look forward to next season.

“Most of our kids are juniors, and we’ll be back,” he said. “We’ll put this game behind us and start working toward next season.”

Meanwhile, Big Bear’s season is just heating up. The Bears have scored 122 points in three postseason games and broke Brethren Christian’s two-game shutout streak, behind the play of quarterback Mike Benson.

Benson rushed for 98 yards and a touchdown, passed for 39 yards and another touchdown, kicked two extra points and added a 39-yard field goal for the Bears.

BB--Ryhal 68 run (Benson kick)

BB--FG Benson 39

BC--Davis 2 run (Price kick)

BB--Benson 49 run (Benson kick)

BC--Mullen 10 pass from Davis (Price kick)

BB--Benson 11 run (Benson kick)

LEADING RUSHERS--BC: Davis 19-96; BB: Benson 10-98. LEADING PASSERS--BC: Davis 9-21-1, 110; BB: Benson 5-10-0, 39. LEADING RECEIVERS--BC: Thomas 5-66; BB: Wilson 2-17.

Attendance--2,200.