Bears block four kicks in win at Lakeview

(Battle Creek) – The Bears special teams played a key role in the latest victory. A total of four kicks were blocked as St. Joe improved to 5-2 with a 20-12 victory at Lakeview.

St. Joe got the scoring started late in the first quarter after a blocked field goal from Lakeview. Derek Holowasko capped off an 8 play 84 yard drive with a 32 yard touchdown run, giving St. Joe a 7-0 lead with :58 seconds left in the first quarter.

Lakeview got on the board on the following drive, scoring on a 10 yard run from Justin Ratliff with 10:23 left in the second quarter, Devon Frenchko blocked the extra point attempt and St. Joe still had the lead at 7-6.

However Lakeview would find the endzone :14 seconds later.

After the kickoff, the snap on the Bears first play on offense went over the head of quarterback Griffin Nowell. Lakeview recovered at the St. Joseph 4 yard line. One play later Jaden Simonson ran the ball for the score. This time Holowasko did the honor of blocking the PAT and Lakeview had the lead at 12-7.

Later in the quarter a bad snap while Lakeview was on offense set the Spartans deep in their territory. While trying to punt from their own 7 yard line, St. Joe defenders got into the backfield quickly, and instead of punting the football, Spartan punter Justin Ratliff was forced to try to throw the ball, the pass was incomplete and St. Joe took over at the 7.

However St. Joe would not score a touchdown, but got a 21 yard field goal from Antonio Buhrfiend to cut the Lakeview lead to 12-10, which is how the first half would end.

Midway through the 3rd quarter, another bad snap while Lakeview was on offense forced the Spartans to try to punt from their own endzone, this time the Bears pressure got to Ratliff. Connor Robinson blocked the punt in the endzone, and it was recovered by the Bears Briggs Mosher for the touchdown. The PAT from Buhrfiend was good and the Bears had the lead back at 17-12.

St. Joe would add to the lead in the fourth quarter when the Bears went on a 13 play 75 yard drive that took 6:03 off the clock, Antonio Buhrfiend made a 27 yard field goal to expand the lead to 20-12.

Buhrfiend would get another field goal attempt after Lakeview turned the ball over on downs, but his 28 yard attempt was wide left.

Lakeview’s last chance was intercepted by Nick Borre with 2:03 left and the Bears ran out the clock to send the Bears to 5-2.