BADGERS BLAST BEARS 40-7

by Rick Pike

Snow Sits atop WSFL at 4-0

PHOENIX, AZ-SEPTEMBER 24, 2005-For the second consecutive week a two-headed monster emerged from Snow's locker room. The result has been lots of yards and, most important, lots of points. Snow quarterbacks, James Pritchard and Cade Cooper, led the Badgers to a 40-7 blowout of the Phoenix Bears Saturday night.

The Badger offense scored three touchdowns in each half and racked up 545 yards. Snow failed to score on its first two possessions - missing a field goal and failing to convert on a fourth down; but on the third possession Sam Grigsby ran for a two-yard touchdown. Pritchard ran for 17 and 11 yards to set up the score. On their next possession the Badgers marched down the field once again and, after a pass interference penalty on the Bears, Pritchard ran for a two-yard touchdown.

On the final series of the second half, Cade Cooper entered the game and found Ryan Neeley for a 10-yard touchdown. The key play on the drive was a long third down completion from Cooper to Travis Henderson. Henderson caught 5 passes for 128 yards and set up three touchdowns with strong running after receptions.

The Badgers were at their best in the second half. Pritchard found James Brady for a 15-yard touchdown to start the third quarter. Cooper entered for another series and let the team 90 yards for a score - culminating with a 21-yard touchdown pass to Clay Bayard. After the Bears botched a punt, Pritchard returned and threw a 27-yard dart to Trevor Fronk and the Badgers led 40-0.

"We've tried to balance the rush and pass all season but tonight we thought the passing game would be more successful and it was," said Coach Titan Trimble. "We still have plenty to improve on - offensively and defensively, but this team is coming together and getting better each week. That's what we need to do to accomplish our goals."

Pritchard finished the game 12-26 for 207 yards and two touchdowns passing. He ran for 48 yards and a touchdown. Cooper played two series, led the Badgers to touchdowns both times and finished 8-13 for 156 yards. Benny Tonga finished with 70 yards rushing and Colt Mund ran for 44 yards. Matt Asiata, Snow's starter at running back, should return this week after sitting out two weeks with a dislocated finger.

Snow's defense was outstanding once again, allowing only one touchdown with minutes remaining in the contest. The Badgers' defensive line rarely allowed Phoenix rushers beyond the line of scrimmage. The Bears' leading rusher, Aazaad Artis-Muhammad was held well below 100 yards and did not score. Rodney Johns scored the lone touchdown for Phoenix. The Badger kicking game appears to be the only weakness thus far in the season. Snow failed on two field goals and two point after attempts.

Snow, currently 7th in the NJCAA Top 20, moves to 4-0 on the season and sits atop the Western States Football League with Eastern Arizona and Glendale. The Badgers host Eastern Arizona this Saturday, October 1, at 1:30 p.m. in Badger Stadium.

The Snow College games can be heard locally on KMTI-Am 650 and right here on SnowBadgers.com