UNATEGO – Six games in a row, spanning two seasons – the previously undefeated 2017 Bainbridge-Guilford Bobcats fell victim to the mighty Spartans of Unatego this past Friday at 28-0.
“We are still where we want to be, we just got to take care of business this week. If we do, then we still own our own destiny (playoff race),” said Bainbridge-Guilford head coach Israel Lorimer. “I felt like we were very evenly matched, I know the score doesn’t show that, but we made a lot of mistake – bad snaps, and guys going to the wrong spot. We just weren’t very focused.”
At the half, B-G trailed Unatego at just 14-0 – a mark that coach Lorimer said was lucky to be as low as it was.
“We needed to play our game, we came out flat and we just weren’t ever able to get that score or play that changes that flatness. Obviously, we’re on the road, and we just weren’t able to muster that play,” said coach Lorimer of the Friday, September 22, loss. “We had our film session and we did do some good things, but we just hurt ourselves. We got the ball, then we fumbled. They fumble right back to us, and we just weren’t able to capitalize. They get a touchdown, then we get a drive going and need to go for it on fourth down and don’t make it. It’s 14-0 at the end of the second quarter. It was uncharacteristic of this year’s team, we didn’t practice well this week.”
B-G opened up with some spunk – kicking an onside kick and recovering it. A bold move for a team that felt backed into a corner. The Bobcats never found that groove in the second half, despite some sparks.
“We were grinding and we just weren’t able to break through. We just couldn’t get that moment,” said coach Lorimer.
Leading B-G on the ground was Ben Bivar, who managed 16 carries for 61 yards – however, lost a fumble for the Bobcats.
Three Unatego Spartans scored on the ground in the big 27-0 win. With two touchdowns was Caden Clow, who ran the ball 11 times for 46 yards. Quarterback, Paul Slawson, carried the ball 11 times as well for 42 yards and one touchdown – fumbling twice in the game. Scoring the final touchdown was Nick Carpenter – two carries for 22 yards. Despite not scoring, it was Dawson Wilsey who did most of the damage 15 carries for 112 yards – along with Cooper Thayer, 14 carries for 57 yards.
Up next for Bainbridge-Guilford (2-1 overall, 1-1 division) they will return home for a game against Unadilla Valley on Friday, September 29, at 7 p.m.
Moving forward, coach Lorimer has said that B-G will be focusing on containing senior UV running back, Payton Stirone.
“It is all matchups and who comes to play that night. He (Stirone) is a stat monster, he beat us bad last year. Obviously, we’re going to be focusing on him. He is the best back in our league and as a senior, we have our work cut out for us,” said coach Lorimer of Stirone who has 703 yards and seven touchdowns in three games. “Defensively, they have been giving up some points, so that’ll be interesting. Obviously stopping or limiting him (Stirone), not letting him win the game singlehandedly, is going to be the focus. He will get it 20-30 times. We just have to get them (Unadilla Valley) in the distance where they have to throw a little bit. It’ll be nice to play home, we feel like we have a little something going lately.”
