On Friday, October 12th, the Bel Air Bobcats Varsity Football team (3-3) took on the Aberdeen Eagles. The Bobcats ended up losing the game 38-14 after seemingly controlling the first quarter and part of the first half.
The first of Bel Air’s 3 forced fumbles came with 8 minutes left in the first quarter. It was recovered by Justin Noles. Bel Air drew first blood about a minute later on a short touchdown run from quarterback Matt Wallace. After the extra point, the score was 7-0. With 5 minutes remaining in the first quarter Bel Air recovered another Aberdeen fumble, but was not able to come up with any points off the turnover. 30 seconds into the second quarter, Aberdeen answered with a touchdown of their own, a 65 yard run down the sideline. A successful extra point left the score tied at 7-7. 4 ½ minutes into the quarter, Bel Air turned the ball over on downs.
On the next play, however, the defense forced and recovered a fumble giving the ball to the Bobcats. Shortly after the recovery, Wallace hooked up with receiver Kyle Hamrick and the extra point made the score 14-7. The touchdown marked the last time Bel Air would score a point in the game. Aberdeen scored the next touchdown on a 4th and goal on a pass tipped and caught in the endzone. A missed extra point tied the score at 14-14.
Bel Air had the opportunity to come up with a score but could not after a missed field goal attempt. The last score in the half came on an Aberdeen rushing touchdown. After a missed extra point, the score at the half was 20-14.
The first play of the second half was representative of the third quarter as a whole. A 70 yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a converted 2 point conversion increased Aberdeen’s lead to 28-14. On the ensuing kickoff, Aberdeen recovered an onside kick. A long pass set up a field goal attempt 2 minutes into the quarter. The field goal was good and the score became 31-14. On the first play of Bel Air’s next possession, Aberdeen forced and recovered a fumble. The recovery led to a long touchdown pass and an extra point, bringing the score to 38-14 where it would stay for the rest of the game. There were no scoring plays or turnovers in the fourth quarter.
Bel Air’s next game is against the 6-1 New Town Titans. It would be safe to say that New Town’s 2nd and 3rd stringers haven’t been bored. The Titans have delivered several crushing blows to their opponents including a 63-14 blowout against Pikesville, a 61-0 slam to Lansdowne, and a 68-6 rout against Sparrows Point. The game is Bel Air’s homecoming game and a large crowd is expected. The game will be at Bobcat stadium on Thursday, October 18th at 7 pm.