Gators fall to Bearcats, 21-7
Unlike in recent years, those indications may be that the Gators’ program is turning the corner. A pair of first half fumbles killed one promising Geibel drive, and set up Bentworth’s first scoring drive. The Gators also allowed a touchdown pass as time expired to trail 14-0 at halftime.
Yet it was Geibel’s third quarter dominance that drew praise from both teams’ coaches at game’s end.
The Gators’ first turnover came on their second possession. They had driven from their own 10 yard line to the Bentworth 31 in 10 plays before fumbling the ball over to the Bearcats at the 22.
Midway through the second quarter, Derek Anderson recovered a Gator fumble at the Geibel 34. In five plays, Bentworth drove to score, with Derek Damich going the final 7 yards to the end zone. The kick by Dom Sacchitano gave the visitors a 7-0 lead.
Four minutes later, Bentworth began a drive from the Geibel 43 yard line after a short punt. This time, the Bearcats drove to the 26 yard line with :05 left in the half.
Quarterback Ben Gregg tossed a fade pass to Dan Hansell, who avoided a tackle near the 5 yard line and continued to the end zone as time expired. Sacchitano added the conversion, and the stunned Gators left the field trailing 14-0.
But Geibel came out for the second half with what coach Ron Marciante called, “the intensity I thought they’d have at the beginning of the game.”
The Gators controlled the football for all but one play in the third quarter. After the kickoff, they drove to the Bentworth 41 yard line, before Tyler Kline intercepted a Mick Betler pass at the 46.
On the next play, Christian Henckel recovered a Bearcat fumble at the Geibel 48, and the Gators picked up where they left off. They drove 52 yards in 15 plays to score, with the drive carrying over into the fourth quarter.
Hudnell Caldwell carried eight times for 29 yards in the drive, which was capped by Betler’s 1 yard keeper with 10:59 left. Joe Laurion’s kick cut the lead to 14-7.
With the outcome in the balance, the Bearcats responded with a 51 yard drive that was capped by Damich’s second touchdown run from 3 yards out with 3:05 to play.
Geibel’s last threat ended when Kline again intercepted a pass at the Bearcat 27 yard line.
Bentworth coach Randy Walters praised the 1-1 Gators afterwards. “(Marciante) is doing a good job with his kids. They flat out put it to us on that drive and moved the ball well.”
Geibel played without the services of two-way senior Nolan Zavora, who is expected to return from a tender ankle for Saturday’s conference opener with Jefferson-Morgan.
Marciante said he’s looking forward to Zavora’s return, as well as “working out” some mistakes and wrong formations in the coming week.