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Sports Correspondent - The Bishop Badgers final preseason game resulted in a 41-6 loss to the Taft Greyhounds Friday night in Taft.
Taft elected to receive the opening kickoff to open the contest, starting at the 31 yard line.
The Badger defense hung tough forcing a Greyhound punt on a 4th and 10.
The Bishop offense started their first offensive possession from the Badger 32 yard line, and quickly moved the ball down the field taking only three plays for Bishop‚s only score on the night.
Senior quarterback Michael Justin Ortega connected with fellow senior receiver Anthony Perea for a reception and run into the end zone.
The extra-point attempt failed as the snap sailed over the holder’s head.
Bishop took an early 6-0 lead with 9:28 remaining in the first quarter.
Unfortunately for the Badgers, Perea a key player, was injured during the third quarter with a possible broken leg.
Both defenses took control of the game, forcing several punts by each team.
Taft finally caught a break, blocking a punt by junior punter Al Schubert deep in Badger territory.
On the first play from the Bishop five yard line, the Greyhounds scored on a run into the end zone.
The following extra-point attempt was good; Taft goes ahead 7-6 with 3:48 remaining in the second quarter.
The Badger offense coughed up the ball with a fumble recovered by the Greyhounds at the Bishop 18 yard line.
Taft scored once again with a three yard run up the middle for a touchdown.
The extra-point attempt was successful, giving the Greyhounds a 14-6 lead with 1:50 remaining in the first half.
The first half ended with Ortega kneeling the ball to run out the clock.
The second half was not good for the Badgers, turning over the ball with fumbles and interceptions.
Taft scored four times in the second half off of four Badger turnovers.
Bishop had several opportunities to put points on the board, but penalties halted drives by the Badger offense.
The game ended with the Badgers getting to the Taft three yard line as time ran out, Taft handing the Badgers a 41-6 loss.
“We showed some fight till the end, never giving up,” said Badger head coach Barry Wolf.
“We must correct the mental mistakes and not turn the ball over,” said assistant coach George Luna.
The Bishop Badgers start district play against the Riviera Seahawks at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 28 in Riviera.