by Brian Turrel
The Bishop Ward Cyclones are off to a hot start in 2022, beginning the season with a 3-1 record, including their latest win Friday over the Turner Golden Bears at the Turner District Athletic Complex. The Cyclones turned a 9-0 halftime advantage into a 35-0 triumph with a strong second half.
Five different Cyclones found the end zone. Brice Johnson Jr. scored a rushing touchdown in the first half to get Bishop Ward on the board, and kicker Juan Delgado Medina converted a 33-yard field goal just before the half to extend the Cyclones’ lead to 9-0.
In the second half, Jayvion Braden, Roderick Strong and Jashaun Holliday scored on the ground, and Jalen Pickens caught a touchdown pass from Holliday.
The Golden Bears offense struggled to get going, but defense kept them in game in the early stages, forcing two fumbles in the first half.
Defensive back Erickson George made a third-quarter interception and stripped the quarterback for a fumble. Defensive end Xavier Ramirez had a first-quarter sack and a second-quarter fumble recovery.
The Cyclones and Golden Bears have a long history. This is the 35th meeting of the teams, dating back to 1956. Turner has dominated the series recently, winning nine of the previous 10 contests, but Bishop Ward leads overall, now with 19 wins against Turner.
Bishop Ward now heads into four straight 3A district matches that will determine its playoff destiny. The next game is at home against Wellsville next Friday, kicking off at 7 p.m.
Turner is 0-4 for the season. The Golden Bears will play at Piper High School next Friday.
