Tabor Bluejays to face Bethel
After winning their first game of a new era Saturday night in Hillsboro, the Tabor College Bluejays won't be able to hold their heads high for too long. Not with a big game at 7 p.m. Saturday in North Newton against archrival and unbeaten Bethel.
The Threshers will come into Saturday's game with plenty of momentum after shutting out McPherson, 28-0, this past Saturday behind 206 yards rushing by water bug tailback Beau Cox.
Tabor (1-1) was able to grind out a 30-14 win Saturday. But considering the way the Bluejays struggled against the lowly Lions from Southwest Assemblies of God, they have their work cut out for them this week.
Even with the 359-273 yard edge in total offense, with Tabor getting a balanced attack with 178 yards rushing and 181 throwing, the game was marred by Tabor turnovers and penalties.
Two weeks into the season, the Bluejays appear to be suffering from a bad case of 'fumbleitis."
Turnovers had killed Tabor in a season-opening loss to Kansas Wesleyan. Tabor turned the ball over four times again Saturday, equaling the number of giveaways the week before.
Missed opportunities and penalties also proved costly to Tabor against the Coyotes in the opening week. Tabor was flagged 13 times for 122 yards.
Relying heavily on the option attack, the Bluejays, with possession in a gusting wind under ominous skies, stormed all the way to the Lion 21.
Quarterback Ricky Ishida once again was stopped on a fourth and short and Tabor came away empty handed on its opening drive.
The game stayed scoreless after one quarter of play, with the Bluejays dominating the clock.
Throwing for 131 yards, while carrying the ball for a team-high 63 more, Ishida hit Caleb Marsh for a 25-yard TD to put Tabor ahead with 9:16 left in the first half. Marsh hauled in four catches for a game-high 88 yards.
One of two Tabor fumbles spotted the Lions the tying touchdown, with Tabor losing the ball deep in its own territory on first down.
Six plays later, the Lions were back in the game with Brian Thomas scoring from four yards out.
The Bluejays went into the half ahead to stay, 14-7, with Julius Williams scoring on first and goal from the nine.
Despite having the lead, and controlling the ball 10 minutes longer than the Lions, Tabor had 79 yards of penalties in the first half, including one that negated a touchdown.
The third quarter was more of the same, with the Bluejays turning it over once again on another interception.
Tabor gained a little footing the fourth quarter, keeping the ball in the hands of Hector LaBoy, Mario Nava, and Ishida. The trio plowed 61 yards in 12 plays.
Tabor finally climbed into the driver's seat the last 8:16. After three carries for 20 yards, newcomer DeJuan Jones aired it out for Nate Owens for a 51-yard touchdown to widen the gap to 24-14 with just under 3:00 to go.
The Bluejays' biggest play of the year didn't happen until the final play of the game.
After a penalty set the Lions up with a fresh set of downs at the Bluejay 34, Joe Garcia went deep for John Johnson at the 9-yard line.
Instead, freshman speedster Desmond Quinones picked off the pass and flew right past the Lion sideline unscathed, taking it 91 yards for the 30-14 final.
