Friday night did not go according to the plan for the Bellarmine Bells. With the Alumni tailgate and the local rivalry, the game was one they had circled on their calendar. After a sloppy, but hard-fought game, the Bells found themselves on the wrong side of the score, losing 34-7 to the Archbishop Mitty Monarch.
The Monarchs started off fast and didn’t look back, beginning with a 58-yard catch and run by stud receiver Reymello Murphy, followed by a slick 27-yard lob pass from quarterback Shamir Bey.
The Bells, however, started a drive of their own, traveling all the way inside the Mitty 20 yard line. The Bells were unable to score as the kick was blocked, one of many crucial stops for the Monarchs. Mitty was able to convert that turnover into another touchdown, making the score 14-0.
After punting the ball yet again, the Bells got a little life thanks to a magnificent toe-tap interception by junior Adam Hayashi. The Bells could not piece together a drive as the stout Mitty defense dominated all night. Regardless of the scheme, running back Aizon Henry and the Bellarmine offense could find no room to run their double-wing, two running backset.
Entering the second half, the Bells found themselves fighting back from a 21-7 deficit.
The Bells opened the 2nd half with a 30-yard return from Henry to set up a 1-yard quarterback keeper from sophomore Wade Smith. On the ensuing possession, the Bells seemed to recover a momentum switching fumble, only to have the call reversed. That call pretty much set the tone for the rest of the game.
The Bells were not able to add any more points on the board, while Mitty added 13 more of their own. The players of the game were QB Shamir Bey (13/16 196 yard 3TD 1INT) and RB Zach Tabangcura (69 yds, 2 TD).
Picture Credits: Tristan Roldan ’20