Dawgs fall to Fusion

Last year, CCHS kicked off their football season against the Richey/Lambert Fusion and lost 6-68. This year, Blue took on the Fusion in week two of the regular season.

CCHS came out of the gates quickly as senior Caleb Fix ran the opening kickoff back 73 yards for a touchdown. The Dogs failed to convert the extra point try.

On their first defensive series, Blue held the Fusion to a third and long before surrendering a long conversion and an eventual touchdown. At that point, the flood gates seemed to open for Richey/Lambert as they went on to score 28 points in the first quarter and 26 more in the second. The Bulldog defense had trouble getting pressure on the opposing quarterback and Fusion speed created havoc for defenders covering down field. One of few bright spots for CCHS on defense in the first half was on the their first defensive series when sophomore safety Seth Kennedy put a big hit on a Fusion receiver who was coming open on a slant across the middle of the field, jarring the ball from the receiver.

Offensively, Blue moved the ball very well, especially on sweeps. They also had a little bit of a passing game. Most completions were to junior Mick O’Connor. The only thing that stopped them from scoring was themselves; drive-stalling penalties and costly turnovers. Late in the first quarter Jared Pardee hooked up with O’Connor on an 8 yard pass. In the second, Pardee connected on a short 5 yard pass to Mason Lovec. O’Connor caught the extra point.

A running clock in the second half made the game go much faster. CCHS played better defense though, allowing only one score. The better defense was a direct correlation of more pressure on the quarterback in the backfield. Fix scored from four yards out in the second half, the only other score for Big Blue. Pardee connected with Bonsell for the extra point.

This week, the Bulldogs are on a bye. Next weekend they play Bainville for homecoming. Kickoff is 7 p.m., Friday, at Rowley Field.

CCHS 12 19 26 26

Richey/Lambert 28 54 62 62