11/18/2009 9:03:00 AM
Bradshaw upsets #5 Peoria on State gridiron
Apap says ‘great character’ led to team’s Sportsmanship Award
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Bradshaw Bears Colton Willey, No. 17, Eric Jolley, No. 41, Bryan Woodall, No. 9, and Wesley VanHout, mostly hidden, discuss defensive strategy during a recent game.
TribPhoto/Cheryl Hartz |
| "It's a compliment to our players, coaching staff, school staff, fans, administration - the whole high school."
-BMHS Varsity Coach Chuck Apap
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 | By Cheryl Hartz
Reporter |
The No. 12-seeded team isn't supposed to beat the No. 5 seed, but no one told the Bradshaw Bears that, so they went ahead and edged Peoria 31-28 on the Panthers' field Friday.
The Panthers self-destructed, but not gracefully, and BMHS coach Chuck Apap took the blame, tongue-in-cheek.
"They thought they were going to win and we forgot to tell them they weren't," Apap said. "I guess it's my fault."
Serious again, Apap said, "It was a great effort by our kids; I can't say enough about our players. Peoria scored first and we kept our composure, and we didn't let it bother us when they went ahead (again in the third quarter).
"Our kids showed great character, but you don't win a sportsmanship award without great character."
Apap was referring to the football Sportsmanship Award, which Bradshaw won this season for all of 4A-I.
"It's a compliment to our players, coaching staff, school staff, fans, administration - the whole high school," he said. (See article on award-winning criteria in next week's Tribune.)
He will receive the award for the team at the State championship game at the University of Arizona in Tucson on Dec. 5.
"Hopefully I'll be busy (coaching the team)," Apap said.
Two games still stand between the Bears and the championship contest, but the first playoff may have provided the excitement and momentum they'll need to go all the way.
Although Peoria got the initial touchdown, Mychael Eikenberry completed a 10-yard run for his first TD of the evening and Andy Rosas added his first of four point-after-touchdown kicks to tie 7-7 in the first quarter.
By halftime, the Bears had surged ahead 21-7 on the strength of John Kelley's 8-yard dash and a 1-yard run from Tyler Audsley.
The Panthers charged back after the break with three unanswered touchdowns before Bradshaw could shut them down.
Before the third quarter ended, Eikenberry crossed the goal line a second time, from one yard out, and Rosas tied it 28-28 with the PAT.
Rosas put the Bears up for good with a 40-yard field goal in the fourth.
Apap said Rosas had barely missed a 42-yarder earlier in the game.
"He had the distance, it was just a little wide right," Apap said, adding, "Andy kicked a 60-yard field goal in practice and I've never had anyone (in my coaching career) kick a 60-yarder before."
Many Bears accumulated impressive stats on the night.
On defense, Colton Willey contributed 6 first-hit tackles and 3 assists. Eric Jolley, Bryan Woodall, and Andy Rosas each made 5 first hits, with 9, 5 and 4 assists, respectively. Jeremiah Hernandez had 4 firsts and 6 assists and caused a fumble. Woodall also recovered a fumble and Rosas managed a sack.
Offensively, Audsley passed for 70 yards and rushed for 107 with a TD. Eikenberry had 143 yards rushing with 2 TDs. Kelley rushed for 44 yards and a TD. James Reyes caught 2 passes for 53 yards and Tony Oliver got one pass for 17 yards.
Audsley and Kevin Wallace nabbed an interception apiece.
"Now we just want to win a State championship," Apap said.
Tomorrow the Bears head south to Vail to play No. 4 Cienega on Friday. Thanks to the Booster Club, they're able to spend the night Thursday.
"I learned not to go down the same day when we played Santa Rita (Tucson) two years ago," Apap said. "After riding four-and-a-half hours on the bus, after the first quarter, it looked like slow motion. This time we're going to be fresh and ready to play football."
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Posted: Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Article comment by:
Time to Eat Crow!!
It's funny that Mingus drove down on Friday last year for their game with Amphitheater, and were able to come back with a win after jumping out to a 21-7 halftime lead. Wonder why Bradshaw can't do the same thing. Oh yeah, Apap's not Bob Young!! And Bradshaw receiving the Sportsmanship award just tells you that their really is NO sportsmanship in 4A-I! What a joke! By the way, Chuck, nice showing at Cienega!! I guess that you forgot to tell Cienega that they were going to lose. This guy's arrogance reaches new heights every week. Go back to Michigan.
Posted: Thursday, November 19, 2009
Article comment by:
Mom of a Senior
Thank you Coach, Boosters and Staff! This year has been tremendous for your team! Let the "haters" say what they will but an award like this reflects the leadership from the top. Thank you!
Posted: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Article comment by:
Scooter
Great job coaches and players on your sportsmanship award. I would also like to thank the Bradshaw fans for their civil language and spirited enthusiasm. People we knew from out of town watched the Bradshaw/Prescott game and sat on the Prescott side. They had their children with them. They had to leave 15 min after they got there because of the loud vulgar language of a group of teenage girls behind them. I'm proud of you Bradshaw fans for showing class at every game. GO BEARS!!!!!!!!!
Posted: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Article comment by:
Mom of #17
What a game! You were in the ZONE Bears!!! Keep it up!! See ya'll in Tucson!
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