by Brian Turrel
The Bonner Springs Braves overcame a rocky first quarter, coming from two touchdowns behind to overtake the Ottawa Cyclones for a 41-21 victory on the Braves’ homecoming night.
A large, loud, orange-clad crowd filled David Jaynes Stadium, but they were quickly hushed when the Braves’ first two possessions ended in interceptions. Ottawa used the short field to run up two scores, leaving the Braves 14 points down.
Bonner quarterback Noah Villareal steadied the offense in the second quarter, and his pass selection became more controlled, choosing swing passes and sideline routes instead of throwing over the middle. The Braves offensive line also loosened up the running lanes to get backs Keyon Thomas and Bryce Krone consistent yardage.
Villareal connected with Ethan Byers in the corner of the end zone for the Braves first score with 9 minutes left in the second quarter. After a defensive stop, the Braves scored again, with Keyon Thomas running in a toss from Villareal, to make the score 14-12.
With less than a minute left in the half, receiver A.J. Watson took a pitch 61 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown. The 2-point conversion put the Braves ahead 20-14.
The Braves played prevent defense to run out the half, but Ottawa still retook the lead on a controversial play. Cornerback Nasjon Porter intercepted a last-second Ottawa pass, but he was stripped of the ball, which Ottawa ran in for a touchdown, giving them a 21-20 halftime advantage. The Braves’ sideline insisted the pass was incomplete to no avail.
Bonner’s defensive line clamped down in the second half, getting several tackles behind the line of scrimmage. The Braves also upped the pressure on the return game, trying multiple times for an onside kick, and recovering one midway through the third quarter.
Ethan Byers pulled in his second touchdown early in the third quarter to pull the Braves back in front for good.
Keyon Thomas scored on a 59-yard pass play with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Bryce Krone followed up an 18-yard run with a 2-yard touchdown carry to top off the scoring. Late interceptions from Keyon Thomas and Noah Villareal kept the Cyclones’ offense from mounting a late challenge.
The victory takes Bonner Springs’ Frontier League record to 2-4. They play at Baldwin next Friday evening at 7 p.m.
