The rabid Blair defense attacked the Ralston Rams and the footballs they were unable to hold onto Friday night at Krantz Field.
The Bears scored 50 points offensively, but ripped six turnovers and notched a safety on defense to get there, winning 50-0.
“To hold that zero up there is a big deal for us,” BHS defensive lineman Lance Hume said.
Wyatt Ogle, who recovered the Rams' first bobble, said the Bears believed they'd have the chance to do just as they did Friday to improve to 5-3.
“Coaches stressed over the week that they're loose with it,” the lineman said. “So, if you get an opportunity to punch it out, you've got to do what you can. Get that turnover.”
Coach Bryan Soukup's 'D' got plenty.
“That's what it's all about, right?” Ogle added. “Getting the ball back and scoring touchdowns.”
Blair scored its first TD just 1:20 into the first quarter when Livai Opetaia ran across the goal line from 35 yards out. The home team then scored its first points off of a Ralston turnover 6:40 later when Dex Larsen turned Ogle's recovery into a 6-yard touchdown run.
The Bears followed up their 14-0 first quarter with a 23-pointer. The Rams started the second with the ball, however, and drove deep into BHS territory before Nolan Ulrich turned away a second-and-goal run from the 1-yard line. On the next play from the 4, RHS fumbled with Nolan Osterhaus of Blair emerging from the pile with the football.
What followed was a 98-yard drive with Blair quarterback Morgan Rump scoring from 3 yards out.
Ralston took over again, but, again, got itself into trouble. The Bears knocked out another fumble, which forced the Rams into a third-and-36 from the 1. The down didn't go well as Ulrich and Braden Hanson pulled their opposition down behind the line of scrimmage for a safety.
BHS led 23-0 midway through the second quarter, and had seemingly avoided a standout offensive game from Ralston's biggest threat — speedy junior back Rashad Madden.
“We knew we had to play sound defense tonight and keep No. 4 contained, and we did that,” Hanson said. “It showed on the scoreboard.”
Osterhaus added a 35-yard, over-the-shoulder catch from Rump for a touchdown, and Larsen scored again, as the Bears went ahead 37-0. The Rams couldn't get to halftime before senior Wesley Gunderson recovered a muffed kickoff return before the break, though.
The second 24 minutes of the game didn't start any better for RHS either. Blair forced a punt, but the Rams' punter couldn't get it off before being swarmed, causing a turnover on downs. The Bears started the ensuing possession 5 yards from a 44-0 lead and got it when Rump notched his second rushing score.
Dane Larsen's first and only touchdown came on the ground during the fourth quarter before BHS sophomore Nathan Boswell recovered another Ralston fumble — which was caused by Hunter Travis. Minutes later, junior Spencer Beal picked off the Rams' final pass of the ballgame, preserving the shutout.
All told, it was a banner night for the Blair defense. Hume, who played and spoke energized, enjoyed himself immensely.
“When you show up and everybody, first play, immediately, is just going as fast as they can everywhere,” he said, continuing. “... And we're getting excited about big plays and we're taking care of what we need to take care of, it feels really good.”
Blair is scheduled to end the regular season Friday with a home game against South Sioux City. The contest kicks off at 7 p.m.
