By Shirley Hatch, Branford News Publisher
The Branford Buccaneers bounced back for one half from their 35-0 defeat at the hands of the Lafayette Hornets, scoring 19 points in the first half against the Bell Bulldogs, but allowed the Bulldogs to put 20 points in the second half while going scoreless to lose their second consecutive game 20-19 in Bell.
Branford scored seven points in the first quarter and 12 in the second to go to the dressing room leading 19-0, while holding the Bulldogs scoreless. In the third quarter Bell scored on a 23 yard pass from quarterback Justin Fowler to Ryan Fisher. The kick failed. In the final quarter Lee Carlisle ran three yards for pay dirt and the two point conversion pass failed to give the Bulldogs a 20-12 score. At the end of the fourth quarter a 15 yard pass from Fowler to Carlisle was complete for an 19-18 score. Fowler's two point conversion pass to Carlisle sealed the win with 23 seconds remaining in the game for the Bell Bulldogs who are now 5-1 on the season. The Bucs fell to 4-2.
The Buc offense in the first quarter had John Perry scoring on a 51 yard run, and Kyle Certain splitting the uprights to make the score 7-0. In the second quarter Tim Clark scored on a one yard run, and then connected with Perry on a 45 yard aerial. Both point after attempts failed, and the score was 19-0 half time.
The game statistics were even with the Bucs having a total 346 yards, 288 on the ground, and 58 in the air. The Bulldogs picked up the win with 230 yards in the air and 106 rushing yards. The Bulldogs picked up 162 yards in the air during the second half.
Branford had 13 first downs, with the Bulldogs picking up 14.
Defensively, Buccaneer tackles were: Perry- 4; Clemons 4; Garrett 2; Armstrong 1; Clark 6; Fradossio 2; Certain 2; Thompson 2; Dickerson 1; Bass 1; Peck 1; Lynch 1.
Clark and Willie Clemons were both credited with an interception. J. Fradossio recovered a fumble.
The Bucs will travel to play the Hawthorne Hornets Friday. Game time is 7:30 p.m. The Bucs will be back at Buccaneer Stadium on Oct. 31.
