The defense set the pace early for the Braves forcing the West High Panthers to punt deep in their own territory on their first possession and Bountiful's Dennie Huynh blocked the Panthers' punt, giving the Braves offense great starting field position. Quarterback Jason Freckleton then found Nate Moncur with a swing pass on the first play for the Braves and Moncur flew up the sideline and into the end zone giving the Braves an early 7-0 lead. The Braves defense continued stifling the Panthers early, allowing them only six yards on their first four possessions, all of which ended without any first downs for the Panthers.
But unlike last week, when the Braves were able to put together an impressive offensive attack in a 42-6 romp over Cyprus, the Braves again had problems putting the ball into the end zone. On their next two possessions the Braves suffered a fumble and an interception inside the Panthers 20-yard line, and their following drive was stopped thanks to three penalties on the Braves offense. The Braves final drive of the first half ended with a blocked field goal attempt and the Braves were forced to settle for a 7-0 cushion.
In the second half the Braves defense continued making big plays, repeatedly stopping the big West High running backs in short yardage situations, and the offense was able to control the line of scrimmage in the second half. First, the Braves took over the ball with seven minutes remaining in the third quarter and they were able to march down field 46-yards on nine plays and Bountiful kicker Jeff Johnston connected on a 30-yard field goal to move the Braves advantage to 10-0. Later, with 8:05 remaining in the game the Braves took over on their own 33-yard line and gave the Panthers a taste of true smash-mouth Bountiful High football. The Braves went on a 15-play drive, all of which were runs, and were able to move the ball all the way down to the West five-yard line before mercifully taking a knee as time expired.
The Braves moved to 2-0 in Region play and reasserted themselves as a team to beat in Region 5. The defense was dominating and the offense proved that only they could stop themselves from moving the ball consistently. Freckle-ton started for the second consecutive week and was 5-9 throwing the ball for 65 yards and a touchdown with one interception, and the Braves running attack, led by Tex Wilson, racked up 209 yards on the ground and the offensive line had their second impressive outing in a row. The Braves did suffer a big loss in victory, however, as two-way starter Nate Moncur suffered a torn ACL late in the second quarter and will be lost for the season. After the game Bounti-ful head coach Larry Wall said that he was proud of his team's intensity but they still have some things to work on if they hope to be a force in the playoffs.
"We need to be more consistent," said Wall, "and not relax after our first score. We gotta keep comin' at em.."
The Braves next play in a huge Region 5 match-up when they visit undefeated Highland High School in a battle for first place in the region.
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