by Chad Harp
Special to the Times
Homecoming games always bring out a large number of fans, but the tradition of great battles between the University of La Verne and the Redlands Bulldogs brought the makings of an exceptional showdown.
La Verne came out firing on all cylinders shortly after the start of the second half when they scored an equalizing touchdown to tie the score 10-10 at 9:34 in the third quarter. But after two strong defensive stands the Leopards found themselves in a major predicament after a 62-yard punt by Sean Lipscomb put La Verne’s offense on its own 1-yard line.
After wide receiver/running back Josh Long was swarmed by Bulldog defenders for a short loss, the Leopards faced second-and-10 about a foot outside their own goal. Running a swing pass to try to avoid trouble, Redlands defenders pounced the receiving back in the heart of the Leopards’ end zone for a safety.
After a 14-yard return of the safety free kick, the Leopards defense rallied after linebacker Brandon Pollard stuffed Redlands running back Brandon Ford, causing two incomplete passes and forcing the Bulldogs to punt. But once again the Leopard’s offense found itself deep in its own territory starting on its own 4-yard line. The Leopards ran two running plays before the third quarter ran out. At the start of the fourth quarter, La Verne faced third-and-2 on its own 12. After an incomplete pass, La Verne was forced to punt once again.
With a short return of Randy McGillivry’s punt, a 5-yard run on first down followed by a broken up pass, Redlands quarterback Clay Groefsema collected a hit of luck. Being pressured out of the pocket, Groefsema launched the ball to Leopard defensive back Jonathan Johnson right before he was hit. After a short return of the interception the officials called a roughing the passer penalty and gave Redlands the ball and an automatic first down. The Redlands drive continued down to the La Verne 17-yard line before Justin Brown broke up a key third-down pass to force a Redlands field goal.
With the Bulldogs leading 15-10 and 11:11 to go in the game, the Leopards were in desperate need of a score. Digging into his bag of tricks, head coach Don Morel called a reverse for the kickoff return but found little success as the ball was taken out to the 17-yard line. After a late hit was called against the Bulldogs, the Leopards had decent field position to start their drive toward a go-ahead touchdown. Faced with a second-and-14 situation, Leopards running back Travis Lerma made a diving catch to give the Leopards a third-and-3. Lerma’s ensuing 4-yard carry gave La Verne new life, but the Bulldogs defense stepped up and took all life out of the Leopards’, forcing them to punt.
Building their momentum, Redlands let loose their running game on the Leopard defense. With continuous rushing attacks by Brandon Ford and Shawn Watson, the Bulldogs marched 78 yards down the field before Ford walked into the end zone on the eighth play of the drive.
The Bulldogs had a dominating lead of 22-10, and the Leopards found themselves in a hole with less than four minutes remaining. Starting on its own 20-yard line La Verne wasted no time digging itself a bigger hole with the diving reception of a negative 2-yard pass. Then after an incomplete pass and a sack the Leopards were faced with a fourth-and-20. With the game resting on the shoulders of this play, the swing pass was 10 yards short.
With just over a minute remaining, the Bulldogs ran out the clock to seal the victory.
“The defense played all out,” said Pollard. “We were on the field a lot, but we’re all well conditioned, so it didn’t bother us.” Defensive back Justin Brown felt they had a problem stopping the Bulldog running game and the Leopards’ inconsistent offense hurt also.
In the first half, the Bulldog offense struck first, scoring on a 46-yard pass from Clay Groefsema to Robbie Franks at 4:29 in the first quarter. The second quarter was equal in field goals, as Redlands’ Sean Lipscomb and La Verne’s Flynn Turner each split the uprights once. Lipscomb’s kick was his second attempt of the game as his first try was blocked by the Leopards defense. However in the closing minutes of the second quarter, Redlands was threatening before defensive back Mario Franklin intercepted a Groefsema pass in the back of Leopards end zone, finalizing the half-time score.
This loss puts the Leopards at 1-2 in conference and 1-4 overall. Their next game is tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Cal Lutheran.
Chad Harp
