Bedford’s second half surge ends Lenox’ season

BEDFORD - It’s not common for lightning to be seen in Iowa in November. But the Bedford Bulldogs offense was like lightning in the second half of their 36-24 win Thursday against Taylor County rival Lenox in one of the 8-Man quarterfinal games.

After trailing 18-14 at halftime, Bedford first put up 22 second-half points to get the win and advance in the 8-Man state playoffs.

The Bulldogs will play Gladbrook-Reinbeck (10-1) in the state semifinals at 1 p.m., Wednesday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The winner of that game will play the winner of Bishop Garrigan-Algona (10-1) vs. Winfield-Mt. Union (11-0).

Of regional interest, Bishop Garrigan defeated CAM-Anita 26-16 Thursday in the other quarterfinal game.

Lenox’ season comes to an end with a 9-2 record. Both losses were against Lenox. The first loss was 30-41 Sept. 8 also at Bedford.

“I didn’t expect them,” Lenox co-coach Michael Nardini said about the explosive plays, which happened for both teams during the game. “I expected a lot of pound-and-ground.”

Bedford used little time to start the third quarter to take the lead, one that wouldn’t be threatened the rest of the way. Bedford junior Garrison Motsinger’s run plays kept the ball moving for the Bulldogs. On a third-and-7, Bedford quarterback Conner Nally took off running and stopped in the end zone for an 18-yard score with 10 minutes left in the quarter. Motsinger added the 2-point conversion for Bedford to lead 22-18.

Lenox appeared to respond on the ensuing drive. Running back Jordan Martin-England ran for 5 yards on a third-and-4 play from its 21. A third-and-5 play turned into a first down when Dalton Kitzman ran 8 yards to the Lenox 39 for a first down. The Tigers were threatening when Martin-England ran to the Bedford 29. But the drive sputtered after that. Offsetting penalties set up a Lenox play for third-and-14 on the Bedford 33. Lenox went for it on a fourth-and-9, but the play was two yards short for the first down.

“We shot ourselves in the foot. Too many third and shorts,” Nardini said about creating some momentum for the Lenox offense and managing third-down plays. “Their defense is physical and speedy.”

Bedford regained possession of the ball but the Lenox defense forced a punt. Lenox started its possession on its 14. The drive had a third-and-2 play and a third-and-4 play, as Lenox got to its 37. The Tigers were pushed back 10 yards because of a holding penalty which eventually created a third-and-14 play. Martin-England moved the ball to create a fourth-and-4 play, which, Martin-England, got a first down to the Bedford 29. He finished the game with 21 carries for 144 yards.

But the drive stalled again, this time because of a delay in the handoff on a third-and-4 giving Bedford defenders a moment to push Lenox back and cause a fourth-and-8. A Lenox pass play fell incomplete giving the ball back to Bedford on its 27.

Then lightning hit again. On the first play, Motsinger found the opening in the Lenox defense and took off for 53 yards and a touchdown. Silas Watson adding the 2-point gave Bedford a 30-18 lead with 7:10 left in the game. Motsinger finished with nine carries for 190 yards and three touchdowns.

His first carry, which was the first offensive play for Bedford in the first quarter, was for 63 yards and touchdown after forcing a Lenox punt.

Lenox used pass plays its next possession to catch up but a holding call and an incomplete pass created a fourth-and-20. Bedford took over on downs on the Lenox 36. Motsinger again found the hole in the Bedford defense for 36 yards and a touchdown with 5:22 left.

The Tigers answered. Gabe Funk hauled in a 56-yard scoring pass with 2:58 left in the game, but a failed 2-point conversion made it Bedford 36-24. The Bulldogs were able to run out the rest of the clock not giving Lenox another chance.

“The first half was very back-and-forth, good football. But if you let up big plays, and have that many flags, it’s usually not going to go in your favor. Bedford is very good team. They are coached very well and they do a phenomenal job,” said Bedford co-coach Cole Bond.

Lenox would not see its first score until early in the second quarter. Dalton Kitzman ran it in from 2-yards out with 11:02 on the clock. Lenox was not able to score the 2-point conversion.

Bedford responded with a drive that started on its own 12. Plays later, Bedford struck fast as Conner Nally found Silas Walston for a 64-yard touchdown to give Bedford a 14-6 advantage.

Lenox would then score 12 straight to finish the half with the 18-14 lead. Gabe Funk threw two Dawson Evans for a 25-yard touchdown with 5:12 left in the second. The Tigers missed both 2-point attempts. Lenox defense forced a Bedford punt. Jordan Martin-England took off for a 35-yard touchdown run with 2:19 left in the half. Dalton Kitzman led Lenox with 9.5 tackles on defense.

Funk finished 13-20 for 192 yards passing.