Boca Raton 28, Santaluces 7: Bobcats shut down Chiefs in second half

Friday, October 16, 2009
by Rachel Ullrich

LANTANA — For a squad known for its offensive prowess, a big night for the Boca Raton defense might have been exactly what it needed.

The Bobcats broke open a 7-7 game and shut down the Chiefs for a 28-7 victory Friday night.

"They put up a lot of possession and a lot of downs, but I guess you could say even when we bent, we didn't break," Bobcats coach Keith Byars said. "We kept them out of the end zone, and that's a pretty good thing in the end."

Not only did Boca keep Santaluces out of the end zone for the entire second half, it kept Santaluces (4-3, 1-0) out of the Bobcats' half of the field.

The Chiefs never passed midfield after intermission and Boca Raton (4-2, 1-0) rallied from a 7-7 score to punch in three touchdowns and coast to the win.

"We know Santaluces has a strong running game, so once we went up by two touchdowns, you get them out of their rhythm and force them to do things they don't want to do," Byars said.

While the defense worked on getting Santaluces off the field — managing a blocked field goal, an interception and a recovered fumble in the process — Boca Raton quarterback Eddie Sullivan finished with 132 yards and two touchdowns. Jerome Bradley ran for 67 yards and scored twice.

With three straight tough games coming up — Palm Beach Central, Atlantic and Park Vista in that order — a complete performance like Friday's was exactly what the Bobcats needed, Byars said.

"To come in, get a win on the road, get a win like that one, that's something to feel good about," he said. "Now, we control our own destiny. We don't have to worry about anyone else."