Defense leads California past Bentworth
By Adam Brewer
MVI Sports
It wasn’t a thing of beauty, but the California football team and Coach Ed Woods will take it in Week 1.
The Trojans returned two interceptions for scores in the second half, got a strong running game from Jaedan Zuzak and was able to contain the Bentworth’s offense for a 27-7 victory Friday night on the road.
“It was an ugly game,” Woods said. “We were inconsistent on offense the whole night. The defense carried us and we were more aggressive in the second half. We were flying around to the ball and getting after it. It’s Week 1 and you have to be prepared every week. There’s always room for improvements and we have to be better next week.”
Zuzak finished with 172 yards on 15 carries for the Trojans (1-0) and accounted for three scores.
The Bearcats (0-1) managed to tie the game up at 7-7 at halftime, but their offense sputtered in the final 24 minutes and altogether they committed five turnovers in the loss.
“We just made way too many mistakes on offense tonight,” Bentworth coach JJ Knabb said. “Way too many turnovers and dropped snaps. We missed some blocking assignment and couldn’t establish our offense. We got some chunk plays, but then we got bogged down with penalties or mistakes. They run-blitz us and they knew they had to stop our running game.”
To read the rest of this story, please see a copy of Saturday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at https://e.monvalleyindependent.com.
