Troy Can’t Get a Handle on Bonita

Hands were not a strong point for the Troy football team Friday night. On offense, the Warriors couldn’t hold onto the ball, and on defense, they couldn’t hold onto La Verne Bonita running back DeAndre Belin.

The Warriors turned the ball over three times on fumbles and Belin rushed for 261 yards and three touchdowns as Bonita won the Southern Section Division IX second-round game, 35-22, at Fullerton High.

Troy (9-3) prepared itself for big things from Bonita wide receiver Riccardo Stewart, regarded as one of the best players in the division, but instead got a steady dose of Belin and the Bearcats’ running game.

“We expected a great pass and they brought a great run with it,” said Brett Murray, a senior running back for Troy. “[Belin] wouldn’t be stopped.”

On the opening possession, Troy drove to the Bonita 33-yard line, but Warrior halfback Tom Osborne was hit hard and fumbled on the sixth play of the drive. Bonita’s Kyle Belin picked it up and returned it 66 yards for a touchdown. Osborne left the game with a shoulder injury and did not return.

“We gave them the ball, gave them a touchdown and lost our halfback all on the same snap,” Troy Coach John Turek said.

Late in the first quarter, Troy quarterback Jordan Oliver lost the ball while scrambling out of the pocket and it was recovered by Bonita’s Hollan Hannah.

Three plays later, DeAndre Belin took a pitch to the left and charged down the sideline for a 77-yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead for the Bearcats.

Troy pulled within seven points on Steve Harris’ 23-yard touchdown run and the Warriors appeared to be in position to regain possession on Bonita’s next drive. The Bearcats faced a fourth and 24 on their own 33-yard line. Punter Zach Bussey, apparently sensing a big rush from Troy, tucked the ball and made a break for the first-down marker. The ball was spotted inches across the line for a first down.

Bonita continued the drive and took a 21-7 lead with 23 seconds remaining in the half on Chris Riley’s six-yard run.

Belin went 60 yards on the second play of the second half to give Bonita a 28-7 lead.