Bethany Upends Blanchard in 9th Annual Children's Center Bowl

September 21, 2018

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Bethany, OK - The Bethany Bronchos (4A-#8) and the Blanchard Lions (4A-#3) moved their game up a day due to the impending severe weather and flash flooding that was set to hit central Oklahoma on Friday. This change did not damper the spirits of either team coming into this huge early season district matchup between two top 10 teams. The Bronchos, who fell behind early in the contest, took control in the second half and were able to put the Lions away 24-13. Another part of this night was the festivities of the 9th Annual Children's Center Bowl. All in all over $13,000 was raised as of game time to benefit The Children's Center Rehabilitation Hospital as fundraising efforts went on throughout the week at both Bethany and Blanchard. That total is also expected to rise as more funds are still expected with the game getting moved up by a day.

Coming off of their close victory over Kingfisher (3A-#2) a week ago on the road the Bronchos were ready to be back home, but they knew a matchup with another top five team in the Blanchard Lions, would be a tall test. The Bronchos passed the test and upset the Lions in dramatic fashion. After falling behind early in the game 7-0 on a 37 yard run by Blanchard's Cole Smith the Bethany defense would stiffen and allow only two first downs the rest of the game. As the second quarter got rolling the Broncho offense also got rolling and went on a methodical 65 yard drive in 13 plays which was capped by a 13 yard touchdown run by Sam Brandt. After Jackson Howard's PAT the game was tied at seven and would stay that way until halftime. 

After the break the 3rd quarter completely belonged to the Bronchos as they scored twice to build the lead all the way to 21-7. With the Blanchard defense stacking the box both of these touchdowns came on the arm of quarterback Sam Brandt and his talented and deep group of receivers. The first strike thrown by Brandt was a 39 yard touchdown to Ben Lawson to give Bethany their first lead of the night. On the ensuing Broncho possession Bethany would move the ball 63 yards in six plays and score on a 32 yard pass from Brandt to Jordan Flinton to give the Bronchos a two score lead. 

The Bronchos' defense continued to play stout, but early in the fourth quarter Blanchard Wide Receiver Jamie Nance, a University of Nebraska Football Signee, got loose on his one and only big play of the night, a 40 yard run out of the Lions' wildcat formation.This pulled the score to 21-13 after a missed PAT. But the Bethany offense would continue to click and answer with an 11 play, 59 yard drive that ended with a 20 yard Jackson Howard field goal to give the Bronchos a 24-13 lead with just over four minutes remaining. The Broncho defense would continue to play well and give Blanchard no yards on their final comeback attempt.

Bethany moves to 1-0 in District 4A-2 play and will go on the road to Harrah next week. Blanchard drops their first district game to fall to 0-1 and will host McLoud next week.