By By DON EDEN / Niles Daily Star
BRIDGMAN – Brandywine seniors Greg Beaver and Warren Watson provided the sting as the visiting Bobcats stung the host Bridgman Bees 42-14 in a Lakeland Conference contest.
Bridgman sophomore Justin Weber started strong on the first play of the game with a 16-yard gallop and two plays later had a ten-yard run around the left sideline, but the Bobcats stopped the drive shortly thereafter with sophomore Jacob Frazier providing the big hit.
The Bobcats marched down the field on their initial possession on strictly runs with Watson crossing the goal line from 1-yard out with 2:52 showing on the scoreboard.
After another Bee punt, the Bobcats capitalized on the first play of the second quarter with Beaver's first pass that Frazier hauled in for a 39-yard touchdown.
The third drive was all Beaver and Watson as the quarterback scrambled for eleven yards on a fourth and eight play then Watson ran 30 yards on a carry. Beaver connected with junior Ralph Sater from 3 yards out for the touchdown.
"Brandywine just overpowered us, because of a senior core of kids who are veterans playing football," noted Bridgman coach Erik Haskins. "We are a young team by starting six sophomores on both sides of the ball and have only 4 seniors on the team, but Brandywine is better than their record."
Bridgman (1-7, 1-5) scored on their final possession of the first half with just over a minute remaining on a 23-yard run by Weber on a fourth and short play to give him 91 yards before intermission on a dozen carries.
Brandywine (3-5, 2-4) had the play of the game though to finish the half as Beaver threw a lateral pass to Frazier, who with a Bee dragging him down threw a strike to Sater, who was dragged down at the three yard line. Beaver scored with 4.2 seconds left on a keeper on the very next play to provide the 28-7 halftime advantage.
"I am happy we are on a winning streak now and it is good for the kids the taste of victory," boasted Brandywine coach Terry Borr. "We hope everybody will be healthy and overcome the mistakes we need to correct."
The Bobcats took the second half kickoff and again ran the ball entirely down the field with Watson carrying the pigskin ten times for 52 yards and the final six for six points. Junior Jesse McCombs also had 27 yards on a couple of carries.
Weber again scored on a fourth and short play with two minutes left in the third quarter to narrow the Bobcat lead to 35-14.
"The two main things playing younger kids are toughness and the knowledge, because sophomores just don't have the strength to overcome blocks," stated Haskins. "We will keep plugging away by staying positive to get the program in the right direction."
Scoring was finalized with 2:35 showing on the scoreboard as Watson netted 29 yards down the sideline into the end zone. Watson finished the game with 216 yards on 29 carries, while Weber had 135 yards with 18 totes.
Brandywine had 19 first downs compared to eight for the Bees and each team committed 7 penalties for 55 yards.
"The seniors always want to win the last game, but Berrien Springs is a very good team," concluded Borr. "Hopefully, we will have a full team ready for practice to send these seniors out a winner and help decide who wins the conference."

Brandywine 7 21 7 7 – 42
Bridgman 0 7 7 0 – 14
Brandywine Warren Watson 1 yard run (Greg Beaver kick)
Brandywine Jacob Frazier 39 yard pass from Beaver (Beaver kick)
Brandywine Ralph Sater 3 yard pass from Beaver (Beaver kick)
Bridgman Justin Weber 23 yard run (Josh Bachleda kick)
Brandywine Beaver 3 yard run (Beaver kick)
Brandywine Watson 6 yard run (Beaver kick)
Bridgman Weber 20 yard run (Bachleda kick)
Brandywine Watson 29 yard run (Beaver kick)