COMIN' THROUGH IN THE CLUTCH...is what Bethel kicker Cody Hart did by drilling a game-winning 25-yard field goal in the final moments to propel the Bees by National Trail.

By Dale Barge
SEPTEMBER 19, 2008 - NEW PARIS
The game of the week featured two winless teams thus far this season the Bethel Bees and National Trail Blazers. In fact the Trailblazers haven’t tasted victory in 3 seasons but had high expectations against the Bees.

The game would turn out to be a very exciting and closely fought contest… but the losing streak would continue as the Bees squeaked out of town on a 19 yard field goal late in the game for a 24-21 victory.

Bethel got the scoring started first when Daniel Yates ran one in from 4 yard, the extra point was good by Cody Hart and the Bees led 7-0 at 8:02 in the first quarter.

Both teams traded a few punts until the Bees put together a long 7-minute drive in the second quarter, which was capped off by a Jordan Burrowes one-yard plunge to go up 14-0 with 5:20 to play in the first half.

It didn’t take long for the Blazers to answer, as their spread offense was effective in moving the ball behind Quarterback Taylor Neal. Neal threw a bullet to Zac Ebersole on a slant pass good for 33 yards and a touchdown with 3:10 to play. Ebersole kicked the extra point to make the score 14-7.

After holding Bethel on the next possession Trail took over and again moved the ball down field quickly. They would end up with an exciting score off a tipped ball when Ebersole had the presence while lying on the ground to haul it in for the touchdown. Ebersole was good on the extra point kick tying the game 14-14 at the half.

Both teams struggled to move the ball in the third quarter on their first possession. However it was Bethel again who was able to string together a long drive chewing up lots of yardage with their ground game that was culminated by Matthew Kley on a 4 yard run to take a 21-14 lead with just 58 seconds to play in the third period.

On National Trails next possession the exciting combination of Neal and Ebersole would connect one more time as Neal heaved one high in the air while under duress… on the other end Ebersole would run under making a great over the head catch and in stride raced in for a 34 yard TD. With 7:34 to play the game was tied once more at 21-21.

On the next series Bethel again methodically moved the ball up field but stalled around the 43 yard line facing 4th down with 2 1/2 yards. After a timeout they decided to go… but Trail rose to the occasion turning back the Bees and took over the football with an opportunity to take the lead with 3:30 second to play.

A series of penalties and mistakes cost the Blazers, as they would also turn the ball over on downs.

On the first play Jordan Burrowes broke through the middle of the line and raced 59 yards before he was caught from behind at the 10-yard line.

One more time the Blazers had the Bees in a 4th down with 2 1/2 yards to go… only this time the Bees were at the goal line. So instead of going for it they turned to Cody Hart for help as he booted a 19 yard field goal with 1:13 to play to give the Bees a 24-21 lead and eventual win.

Trail had one last chance moving the ball to midfield but ran out of time… but came oh so close to breaking the long streak. Bethel moves to 1-4 overall and 1-3 in conference play. Trail falls to 0-5 overall and 0-4 in the conference.

Team Scoring:
Bethel Bees…..7 – 7 – 7 – 3 – 24
National Trail..0 – 14 – 0 – 7 – 21

Individual Scoring:
Bees: Yates 4-yard run (Hart Kick)
Bees: Burrowes 1-yard run (Hart kick)
Trail: Ebersole 33-yard reception from Neal (Ebersole kick)
Trail: Ebersole 3-yard reception from Neal (Ebersole kick)
Bees: Kley 4-yard run (Hart kick)
Trail: Ebersole 34-yard reception from Neal (Ebersole kick)
Bees: Hart 20 yard FG

Team Rushing:
Bethel Bees – 58-343
National Trail – 26 – 69

Individual Rushing:
Bethel Bees:
Burrowes 27-167
Kley 19-106
Yates 4-35
Schwieterman 8-35

National Trail:
Ebersole 3-33
Taggert 2-20
Neal 15-15

Passing
Bethel Bees - Comp-3, Att–11, Int–0, Yards–51
National Trail - Comp-14, Att-33, Int–1, Yards-200

Individual
Bethel Bees:
Passing
Schwieterman 3-11-51-0
Receptions
Brent Rowley 3-51

National Trail:
Passing:
Neal 14-33-1-200
Receptions:
Ebersole 8-140
Rhodus 4-49
Arahood 1-6
Taggert 1-5

Interceptions
Bethel - Yates