Bison rally against Gering

Saturday, September 24, 2005
John J. Mesh/McCook Daily Gazette McCook High School fullback Craig Fritz (34) dives under the tackle of Gering's Sergio Torres (22) for a 3-yard touchdown run in the second quarter of Friday night's game at Weiland Field. Fritz scored the game-winning TD on a 5-yard run in the fourth quarter. The Bison defeated Gering 20-15 and improved to 4-0.

No. 1 McCook

overcomes

No. 6 Bulldogs

McCook fullback Craig Fritz scored the game-winner for the Bison on a 5-yard touchdown run with 29 seconds left to help the No. 1-ranked McCook Bison rally to defeat No. 6 Gering 20-15 Friday night at Weiland Field.

McCook improved to 4-0 and Gering dropped to 3-1.

The Bison trailed 15-14, but senior quarterback Tony Purvis ripped off a long run and then found Joel Arterburn for a 36-yard pass to the 9-yard line. After carrying the football to the 5, Fritz scored the game-winner.

Gering senior quarterback Brady Hubbard, who completed 19-of-40 passes for 258 yards, drove the Bulldogs to the McCook 47.

His last-second heave into the end zone was intercepted by McCook's Josh Cherry to preserve the victory. Cherry had two picks in the game.

"What a game," said McCook head football coach Jeff Gross. "Our defense is battered, beaten and tired. They kept coming after us. The last four minutes was topsy-turvy. They're a tough team -- this taught us to play from behind.

"It was a tremendous effort by both teams. It was gut-check time. We've got a lot of kids hurting right now. We're beat up and bruised. As good as they played (Gering), we've got a ton better playing the pass. We made them go the length of the field to score.

"Our hats are off to Gering. Hubbard's a special player."

Neither team scored in the first half. Fritz scored from 3 yards out and Cherry kicked the extra point to give the Bison a 7-0 lead.

The TD was set up by a 23-yard Cherry run off a fake punt and long run by Fritz.

The Bulldogs tied the score on a 3-yard run by Patrick Martinez and the PAT kick with 4:22 left in the first half.

The Bison opened the second half with a seven-minute drive that was capped by a 3-yard TD run from Ryan Bedore. Cherry booted the PAT for a 14-7 lead.

Gering cut McCook's lead to 14-13 with 2:03 left in the game on a 1-yard TD run by Todd Anderson, and took the lead at 15-14 when Hubbard threw the 2-point conversion to Andrew Knight.

Gering outgained McCook in total yards 327-264. The Bison rushed for 212 yards, led by Fritz with 78 yards on 16 carries. Purvis had 55 yards rushing and Bedore 50.

In addition to passing for 258 yards, Hubbard rushed for 46. Jason Alvarez caught eight passes for 105 yards. Adam Rivera added 84 yards on seven catches and Andrew Knight 60 yards on three catches.

McCook plays at 7 p.m. next Friday at Hastings.

McCook077620
Gering070815

M -- Craig Fritz 3 run (Josh Cherry kick)

G -- Patrick Martinez 3 run (Adam Rivera kick)

M -- Ryan Bedore 3 run (Cherry kick)

G -- Todd Anderson 1 run (Andrew Knight pass from Brady Hubbard)

M -- Fritz 5 run (run failed)

Team stats

McCookGering
First Downs1414
Rushes-yards50-21231-69
Passes (C-A-I)3-8-019-40-2
Passing yards52258
Total yards264327
Fumbles-lost3-03-1
Penalties5-357-48
Punts-avg.5-41.44-29

Individual stats

Rushing

McCook: Fritz 16-78, Purvis 13-55, Bedore 18-50, Cherry 1-23, Pohl 2-6.

Gering: Hubbard 19-46, Martinez 7-18, Steinwart 2-3, Knight 1-2, Anderson 2-1.

Passing

McCook: Purvis 3-8-0-52.

Gering: Hubbard 19-40-2-258.

Receiving

McCook: Arterburn 1-35, Fritz 2-17.

Gering: Alvarez 8-105, Rivera 7-84, Knight 3-60, Ernest 1-9.

McCook Defense

Interceptions: Cherry 2.

Fumble recoveries: Hubert.

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