BUHS Wins After a Very Controversial Game

The BUHS Broncos played the Boron Bobcats Friday September 8th at BUHS. The Bishop Broncos jumped out to an early lead thanks to an opening kickoff return of 84 yards by Junior, Arturo Lemus. The Broncos offense came out strong as Sophomore QB Luke McClean connected with wide out Arturo Lemus a couple of times for touchdowns but those were eventually called back for various penalties.

The defense for the Broncos played the Bobcats tough for the first 3 quarters, then the fourth quarter came. . . Once the fourth quarter started, so did the offense for the Bobcats.  Boron was able to drive down the field and score quickly. After getting the ball back late in the fourth quarter the Bobcats scored again making the game 19-17 in favor of Bishop.

Then things got a little interesting.  Needing a two point conversion to tie the Bobcats had to go for it. Dropping back for a pass the quarterback  looked to the East sideline for his receiver and threw to him hoping for the best. “Catching” the ball on the sideline the game was tied at 19.  From different players and even my perspective the Boron receiver did not seem to complete the catch. The officials ruled that the receiver made the catch, so the game was on to overtime.

In the first overtime the Bobcats scored quickly on a rushing touchdown on a sweep by the running back #23 Skyler Smith, giving the ball back to the Broncos. The Broncos had a little trouble scoring and eventually got into a fourth and ball-game situation on the 6 yard line. QB Luke McClean dropped back and looked for the open receiver Senior Lorenzo Parra to tie the game 26-26.

In the rules of OT both teams get the ball and keep going for 2 overtimes, so the game went into the final OT. The Bronco defense stepped up with a big drive and forced a 4th and 16, with a first down needed the QB for the Bobcats dropped back for a pass. With his receivers covered completely by the Bronco secondary the QB tried and scramble for a first down, but about a yard short of the first down he never saw Arturo Lemus coming with the huge hit forcing him out of bounds, just short of a first down and getting the ball back for the Bishop Broncos.

The Broncos wasted no time as QB Luke McClean led the 25 yard drive and won the game by diving into the end zone for the game winner. Bishop was victorious 32-26 over the Bobcats and got the W in the home opener. Next up for the Broncos is a trip to Ontario Christian Friday, September 15th.

An interview from Arnie Palu after the great win.

Q “Did your strategy change during the game as the score became closer.”

A “We had a solid game plan going in, we stuck to it.  I give all the credit to Boron.  We were up, but Boron never gave up. They are fighters.  They competed all the way.  This game will make us stronger.”

Q “There was a very heated exchange at halftime as soon the time ran off the clock what was the argument about.”

A “I don’t feel it was heated.  We had two scoring plays called back, that’s always frustrating.”  

Q “Very controversial 2PT conversion to tie the game what was your perspective on that play.”

A “I had zero view of that play.  I trust the officials.  They have the best view and they are accountable for their decisions, just like we are.  Bottom line is the officials have a job to do and they do it.  Sometimes you are on the right side of a call and sometimes you are not, that is just a part of the game.  We can’t let factors we can not control have an effect on us.  We have to stay the course and compete.”

Q “There was a lot of raw emotion after the game with you and your team has that made you guys closer as a team in anyway.”

A “Agree.  We had the game in hand, let it slip away, only to steal it back.  It was an emotional game.  I encourage our players to express their emotions positively.  Football is best played with emotion.”

An interview with the MVP of the game Arturo Lemus

Q “On the opening kick you had a kick return for a touchdown what were you feeling during that play.”

A “In the moment I was just going.. When I hit the end zone I was like damn I just ran one to the house.”

Q “You had one of the best view of the controversial 2PT conversion play where Boron tied the game, what did you see on that play.”

A “When the ball isn’t completely caught in the end zone it isn’t a touchdown. He bobbled it inside and caught it outside. I don’t feel his feet were in.”

The team coming together after a hard fought win to thank the remaining fans for the support.