Bears can’t capitalize late in loss to Lee County

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — The harvest moon was out Friday night as the undefeated Houston County Bears (5-1) took on the Lee County Trojans (5-1) in a clash of Region 1-6A titans.

The Trojan defense and rush attack proved to be too much for the Bears, as they fell 44-35 for their first loss on the season.

The Trojans’ front also caused significant issues, tallying four sacks on the game. Two of those came in the final minute of the game as the Bears attempted to mount a game-tying drive, one catching Antwann Hill Jr. in the end zone for a safety with 25 seconds left.

Run defense also proved to be a problem for the Bears as the Trojans rushed for 369 and all six of their touchdowns on the ground.

Granted Ousmane Kromah, the bell cow of the Trojans’ run game, is a problem for any defense when he steps on the field.

The four-star back already has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida and Florida State among other Power five schools.

Turnovers also hampered the Bears’ efforts. Midway through the fourth quarter the Bears were knocking on the door to take a 42-35 lead, but fumbled it twice in a row. The first was recovered on the 12-yard line, the second recovered by the Trojans on the 20-yard line.

They couldn’t capitalize on the turnover, but after forcing 4th-and-24 on the Bears they took the next drive to the seven-yard line before running it in for the 42-35 lead with 1:10 left in the game.

Though the Trojans did take over late in the game, the effort was even for most of the night. The Bears even had a slight edge going into the fourth.

After going into halftime tied 28-28, the Bears came out in the third and found Ricky Johnson for 17 yards and a 35-28 lead.

They took that advantage into the fourth quarter, but it didn’t last long.

The Bears almost made it 42-28, but after going for it on fourth down the measurement came up just short. On the ensuing drive the Trojans broke off a 68-yard run to the 16-yard line, and ran it in the rest of the way to tie it at 35 with 10:24 left in the game.

The Bears made it down to the 4-yard line on their next drive before their two fumbles to give it back to the Trojans, and after going down 42-35 they couldn’t make the comeback before losing their first game 44-35.

UP NEXT

The Bears take on an in-county opponent this Friday in the Northside Eagles, who just edged out the Tift County Blue Devils in a 35-34 overtime victory to get back in the win column after their close 20-16 loss in Cordele against Crisp County the week before.

The Eagles will pose another threat on the ground for the Bears, with quarterback Damien Dee’s ability to scramble, and a two-headed attack with E.J. Riley and Da’veon Latimore.

They can also get it done through the air, with Dee having an efficient season with a 62% completion percentage, and seven touchdowns to zero interceptions.

Senior receiver Keron Milton Jr. is the guy to watch out wide, as he’s pulled down 22 receptions for 362 yards and six touchdowns on the season.

HHJ News