Mingus football earned a big win Friday, October. 12. as the Marauders defeated Bradshaw Mountain 28-6.
Heading into the match, the Marauders made shirts entitled ‘Break the Curse’ as Mingus’s seniors had yet to beat Bradshaw.
“I know we dropped two straight games early on but this win shows we were able to rebound and move forward,” Mingus coach Robert Ortiz said.
With the win, Mingus improves to 6-2 this season.
Mingus received the ball first and picked up one first down before being forced to punt.
Bradshaw picked up a few first downs on their opening possession and moved the ball deep into Mingus territory.
After Bradshaw reached the nine yard-line, the Marauders defense held tough and forced a Bradshaw fourth and 16.
The Bears missed missed a 31-yard field goal and the Mingus offense took over at its own 22.
Mingus found a rhythm on its second drive as Marauders running back Alex Nelson racked up first downs on the ground.
Penalties started to plague the Marauders offense however as Mingus faced a 3rd and 31 from midfield.
A pass interference call against Bradshaw gave the Marauders a 3rd and 14 and another chance to keep their drive alive.
On third down, Mingus quarterback Antoine Zabala found Kendrew Streck for a 40-yard touchdown and Mingus led 7-0 with 4:05 left in the first quarter.
Mingus’s defense held tough on Bradshaw’s second possession and forced a Bears fourth down in Bradshaw territory.
On fourth down, Mingus linebacker Kendrew Streck burst through the gap and stopped Bradshaw running back Anthony Mata in the backfield.
Mingus took over in Bradshaw territory and only needed a few plays before reaching the red zone.
Nelson took a direct snap from the 8-yard line and found the end zone to increase Mingus’s lead to 14-0 with 11:20 left in the second quarter.
Bradshaw drove the ball to midfield on its third drive but a sack by Joe Machado forced the Bears to punt.
Mingus started the ball inside their own 10 before Zabala was intercepted, giving Bradshaw the ball in the red zone.
Bradshaw faced a fourth a goal and drew a pass interference call, giving the Bears first down at the four-yard line.
Bears quarterback Anthony Gonzalez scrambled towards the goal line but was stripped and Mingus recovered in the end zone.
Mingus would punt on its next possession and Bradshaw had one final opportunity to score before halftime.
The Bears tried to quickly score before the half ended but Gonzalez was picked off by Marauders defensive back Colby Fanning.
Mingus kneeled the ball to end the half and led Bradshaw Mountain 14-0.
The third quarter turned into a defensive struggle as neither team scored during this period.
In the fourth quarter, Nelson found the endzone for the second time and Mingus took a 21-0 lead with 10:15 left in the game.
Bradshaw drove down the field on its next drive and found the end zone on fourth down to cut Mingus’s lead to 21-6.
The Bears attempted an onside kick and recovered the ball near midfield.
Bradshaw went deep but Gonzalez’s pass was intercepted by Chaz Taylor.
The Marauders scored on another Nelson rushing touchdown to take a 28-6 lead over Bradshaw Mountain.
With 2:20 remaining, things got heated as Mingus tried running out the clock.
Shoving ensued on the field and three players were ejected including Zabala for the Marauders.
“I am sure every coach would do the same in that scenario as far as telling your kids not to respond and play the right way,” Ortiz said. “ We will have to look on film because I do not know what happened but I was told there was some swinging on both ends.”
Mingus’s crowd began to boo the officiating after multiple controversial calls and non-calls occurred throughout the game.
The crowd then chanted “go warm the bus” as the officials discussed the situation.
After play stopped for ten minutes, the Marauders kneeled the ball on its remaining downs and punted.
The Bears attempted one last drive but Mingus’s defense stonewalled Bradshaw again to end the game.
Mingus’s defense disrupted Bradshaw’s rhythm all game and hurried Gonzalez six times and sacked him twice.
“Gonzalez is a good quarterback who prefers to run first so we wanted to force Bradshaw into passing situations,” Ortiz. “ We told our guys they would have to make plays when they threw the ball and that is what they did.
The Marauders defense also picked off Gonzalez four times after he had thrown only two interceptions all season.
Mingus running back Alex Nelson paced the Marauders offense with 36 carries for 138 yards and three touchdowns.
Kendrew Streck was a force on both sides of the ball as he recorded 11 tackles and two interceptions while also catching three passes.
Chaz Taylor also made plays on both ends with two interceptions and two catches for 22 yards.
Ivan Leonard can be reached at 282-7795, Ext. 131, or e-mail to ileonard@larsonnewspapers.com
