Bears battle elements en route to first win of the season against Barons

Neither Mother Nature nor a 10-point halftime deficit could deny San Marcos Academy their first win of the season, as the Bears toppled San Antonio St. Mary’s Hall Barons, 41-32.

The first quarter was a low scoring affair as both defenses dug their heels in.

The Bears were able to break the scoreless deadlock, as running Aidan Nolan caught a three-yard touchdown pass from quarterback C.J. Crauthers, as Academy took a 6-0 lead following a blocked PAT kick.

The Barons responded in the second quarter, scoring on a 42-yard touchdown pass and taking the lead on a successful PAT kick to go up 8-6.

Following an unsuccessful Bears’ possession, St. Mary’s Hall struck again as the Barons scored on a 50-yard rushing touchdown, to extend their lead to 16-6.

But the Bears responded with a touchdown drive of their own as Cash Miller scored on a six-yard run, while Ayo Okoya-Thomas kicked the PAT to make it a 16-14 game.

The Barons snuck in a score before halftime as St. Mary’s Hall connected for the 50-yard touchdown pass to push their lead out to 24-14.

The third quarter saw Academy slowly cut into the Barons lead, as Crauthers found Nolan for the second time on a seven- yard touchdown pass to make it a 24-20 lead.

However, before kickoff, the game was forced into a lightning delay, sending both teams to head into their respective locker rooms.

Following an hour-long wait, the two teams were back on the field.

The Bears caught the Barons off guard as Academy successfully made the onside kick to retain possession.

Academy capitalized on their possession as Nolan ran for a two-yard score putting the Bears up 28-24, following a Okoya-Thomas PAT kick.

Stopping St. Mary’s next possession, the Bears scored again as Miller scored a one-yard rushing touchdown to put Academy up, 35-24.

The Barons responded with a scoring drive of their own as St. Mary scored on a 17-yard touchdown pass, to cut the Bears lead down to 35-32.

Needing a score to extend their lead, the Bears got exactly what they asked for, driving to the Barons’ five-yard line before Miller punched it in to make it a 41-32 game.

The score was enough to put the Bears into the plus column as Academy came away with the win.

The Bears rushing was on display Saturday, as Academy rushed 38 times for 380 yards and four touchdowns.

Nolan led the way for the Bears, rushing the ball 20 times for 225 yards and one touchdown. Miller led the team in scores rushing for 133 yards and three touchdowns.

The Bears will be on the road Thursday as Academy travels to Austin to take on longtime rival Texas School for the Deaf.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

cmcwilliams@sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc