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[Sonny Dearth]

Bethel's Franklin James catches a pass. Photo by Diane Cebula/Daily Press

Bethel runs away from Warwick

By DAVE JOHNSON | djohnson@dailypress.com

HAMPTON — Going strictly by preseason expectations and current rankings, it was an upset. But can you truly call a 40-17 win, as complete a thrashing as you’re likely to see, an upset?

Bethel dominated Warwick in every category except field-goal yardage Saturday afternoon at Darling Stadium, taking command with touchdowns on the final play of the second quarter and first play of the third. Jontel Evans had 195 yards and four touchdowns, and quarterback Aris McGlone-English completed 7-of-12 passes for a career-high 103 yards.

"We knew coming into the season that we needed to get our passing game going and take some pressure off Jontel," McGlone-English said. "We knew we had to do our job."


The Bruins (2-1, 1-1 Peninsula District), ranked seventh in the Daily Press Power Poll, were clinging to a 14-10 lead when they took over at their 20-yard line with 27 seconds remaining in the first half. Not known as a quick-strike team, Bethel figured to take a knee and go into halftime. Instead, McGlone-English came out throwing. He hit Marcus Cooperwood with a 29-yard throw, and then a 15-yard personal foul moved the ball to the Warwick 29.


With time remaining for only one play, McGlone-English found Evans wide open down the left sideline for a 29-yard touchdown.

"We practice that situation every week," Bethel coach Jeff Nelson said. "We go with 1:15 on the clock, one timeout, two timeouts, four plays at the end of the first half. … We practice this, and they really executed it well."

Taking the momentum into the locker room, Bethel went ahead 27-10 when Evans ran 78 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the third quarter. Evans scored again on the next possession, and Teddy BaCote sneaked in with 4:44 left in the game to make it 40-10.

Completely outplayed, the Raiders (2-1, 1-1) also didn’t help themselves. Warwick, co-ranked No. 3 in the Power Poll, had four turnovers and nine penalties for 98 yards.

"It’s frustrating as a coach that we’re not playing better," Warwick coach Stan Sexton said. "That’s our fault — me and the assistant coaches. It trickles down, and we’re not getting the performances we should be getting."

The costliest turnover came with Bethel leading 7-3 midway through the second quarter. Quarterback Lamonte Williams was sacked by Bethel end James Gayle, which jarred the ball loose. Linebacker Tyler Blowe recovered at the 9-yard line and took it in for a touchdown.

"James is a quick end, and that was his play to make," Blowe said. "I just helped him out by picking up the fumble."

One of the few bright spots for Warwick was a 48-yard field goal in the second quarter by Matt Bevins, which would have been good from at least another five yards. It was one of the longer field goals ever by a PD kicker.

BETHEL 40, WARWICK 17
Warwick 0 10 0 7—17
Bethel 7 13 14 6—40

Bet—Evans 1 run (Stealman kick)
War—FG Bevins 48
Bet—Ty. Blowe 9 fumble return (Stealman kick)
War—Williams 33 run (Bevins kick)
Bet—Evans 29 pass from McGlone-English (kick failed)
Bet—Evans 78 run (Stealman kick)
Bet—Evans 5 run (Stealman kick)
Bet—BaCote 1 run (kick failed)
War—Butler 13 run (Bevins kick)

*War*Bet
First downs*11*12
Rushes-yards*32-112*44-207
Passing yards*22*138
Comp-Att-Int*3-11-2*10-16-0
Penalties-yards*9-98*7-69
Fumbles-lost*3-2*1-1
Punts-avg.*4-39.8*2-29

[bethelmom]

Maybe now people will recognize Bethel is a contender and give the new coaches some credit for motivating and inspiring the team. Go Bruins!!!