Bulldogs beat Rancho Bernardo in scrimmage
The Ramona Bulldogs finally got a chance to hit somebody else, and they needed the change.
For three weeks they have been scrimmaging amongst themselves. On Friday they got a chance to hit Rancho Bernardo High School.
Ramona hosted the Kickoff Classic, a fundraiser for athletic teams that have to travel in CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) and state playoffs. Several dignitaries were on hand for the football doubleheader.
The first scrimmage featured Olympian High School of Chula Vista and Imperial High School. The Dawgs and the Broncos took the field in the nightcap.
The scrimmage simulated game situations. There was a newly painted clock and scoreboard. The teams played 11-minute quarters. The scoreboard read Ramona 21, Rancho Bernardo 20. No official statistics were kept because a scrimmage does not count on either team’s won-loss record.
“We needed the work and the format was great for us,” said Coach Damon Baldwin. “We work very hard on special teams play and we got a chance to see where we have to improve for our opening against Serra.”
Special teams play was the difference in the scoring. Rancho Bernardo set up a score on a kick return. Ramona scored a 2-point PAT after a bad snap.
Rancho Bernardo also scored after Ramona fumbled deep in its own territory. The Broncos only had one sustained drive against the Dawg defense.
“We played well at times, but we were inconsistent,” said Defensive Coordinator Ed Munyer. “We have some work to do but several players were playing in their first varsity football action.”
The offense moved the ball well on the ground. James Nicholson, Spencer Johnson, Cody Sweet, Israel Cervantes, Justin Godes and Eric Box opened holes for Ryan Morgan and Tyler Jackson.
Jackson scored two rushing touchdowns.
The o-line also gave Eric Ernst and Rocco Hemphill plenty of time to throw. Both quarterbacks were the victims of dropped passes. Ernst did hit Seth Drake with a scoring toss.
Ramona’s defense got good play from its linebacker corps. Sam Hine, Matt Neylan, Colton Houlihan and Logan Peterson were given the task of replacing last years starters and they did a good job.
Evan Bray showed good speed and hustle on special teams. Bray ran down a Bronco kick returner to save a touchdown.
The Frosh and Junior varsity also scrimmaged the Broncos.
“We played well on defense,” said Defense Coordinator Eddie Brisendine. “We got off to a slow start but rallied and played well.”
Junior wide receiver Trevor Dotson did so well in the junior varsity scrimmage that he was brought up to the varsity.
Camp is over. The scrimmage is done. This Friday the Bulldogs travel to Serra High School for the real thing. The stats will count and the scores go in the record books.
The junior varsity will kick off at 4 p.m. and the varsity will tee it up at 6:30.
The Bullpups open their season at the Dawg Pound today at 5 p.m. against Serra’s frosh.