Salute to soldiers
BUTLER TWP — Slippery Rock native Brian Christie donned his Butler County Bears’ jersey for the final time in 2011 on Saturday. But he’s trading it in for a more important uniform.
Christie, 28, takes off for military duty in Afghanistan today. He will have plenty of fond memories to bring overseas, though, following a going-away party in the form of Butler County’s 42-0 beatdown of the Canton Hurricanes on Veteran Appreciation Night at Butler High School’s Art Bernardi Stadium.
“It’s been great. It’s everyone’s dream to play after high school,” said Christie. “To get a chance to play under the lights again is a dream come true.”
Canton (0-4) began the game with only 14 players in pads and injuries cut the available roster down to 11 by halftime. Grid Iron Football Alliance co-owner Robert Murphy called the game before the start of the third quarter due to health concerns for the visitors.
“The safety of the players is the most important thing to me in this league,” said Murphy.
The Bears (5-1 overall, 4-1 GIFA) mauled Canton throughout the first half. Butler consistently supplied itself with incredible field position and cashed in with regularity.
On the other side of the ball, the Bears held Canton to minus-54 yards of total offense.
“We came out and executed,” said Butler County head coach Kirk Bergbigler. “After it was 20-0, we got some guys in that don’t get a lot of playing time and had some improvements to make.
“We’ve had some injuries,” he added. “So, it was good to see how we could replace guys by giving them looks at different spots.”
Butler County initially lit up the scoreboard on its first offensive play from scrimmage — a 3-yard touchdown pass from Erik Fuhrer to Antawane Davis.
Stephon Conto set up the touchdown after he eluded Canton tacklers on a 48-yard punt return. Later, he ripped off a 43-yard return to trigger a 12-yard scoring scamper by Stephen Glenn in the second quarter.
Anthony Rodrigues found the end zone twice for the Bears. He put Butler ahead 13-0 with 6:55 left in the first quarter on a 15-yard burst and capped the scoring with a 3-yard run after being fed on the option by backup quarterback Mason Bond.
Just a minute after Butler extended its lead to 21-0 on a fumble recovery in the end zone on a botched punt, 5-foot-9, 285-pound TJ Sommers punched in a 1-yard score to make it 28-0 heading into the second quarter.
The lopsided contest gave Bergbigler the opportunity to hand the ball off to Christie three times during the final series.
“He said it was one of his dreams to get the chance to play running back,” said Bergbigler. “I told him, ‘If we get up four touchdowns or so, I’ll get you in there.’ Luckily, we were able to do that for him.”
“They were just humoring me,” said Christie with a grin.
Prior to the season, Bergbigler stayed in contact with the former Slippery Rock High School letterman via the Internet and Christie made it worth the effort. He returned from Afghanistan 2 1/2 months ago simply for the chance to play with the Bears.
“He was true to it,” said Bergbigler. “He gave it his all and has done well for us.”
Christie served the Army with a two-year stint in Iraq and a three-year tour in Afghanistan. He’s heading back to Afghanistan today because of his newfound duties with the U.S. Department of Defense.
Christie was one of 13 Bears, along with three Hurricanes, recognized as veterans before the game.
The 177 fans who attended the game provided a passionate atmosphere for our country’s heroes.
Butler County defensive assistant James Russell, who served in the Air Force from 1970-74, appreciated the fans’ enthusiasm.
“The defense has been really good and hopefully we’re heading to the playoffs. We need all the support we can get,” said Russell. “The crowd was great. Every game, we seem to have a better crowd. There’s no telling how far we can go if this community continues to get behind us.”
The Bears will return to Art Bernardi Stadium on Saturday to host the Erie Outlaws on Youth Football and Cheerleader Night. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
Notes: Butler County had six possessions with an average field position at the Canton 16-yard line. ... Veterans among the fans were announced individually during breaks in the game. ... The first snap in Butler County territory didn’t come until the 7:10 mark in the second quarter. ... Opening kickoff was delayed approximately 45 minutes.B.C. Bears 42, Canton 0
Game called after two quartersCanton 0 0 X X — 0Butler County 28 14 X X — 42C B4 First Downs 222-(-54) Rushes-Yards 11-480 Passing Yards 330-7-0 Passes (Comp.-Att.-Int.) 2-2-0minus-54 Total Yards 811 Fumbles-Lost 06-32 Penalties-Yards 4-35
First QuarterB — Antawane Davis 3 pass from Erik Fuhrer (Jason Majocha kick), 12:44B — Anthony Rodrigues 15 run (kick failed), 6:55B — Punt recovered in end zone (Majocha kick), 3:56B — TJ Sommers 1 run (Stephon Conto run), 2:56
Second QuarterB — Stephen Glenn 12 run (Majocha kick), 14:02B — Rodrigues 3 run (Majocha kick), 10:48
Individual StatisticsPassing: C — Tony Reid II 0-7-0. B — Fuhrer 2-2-33, TD.
Rushing: C — Steve Evans 5-9, Randy Robinson 3-(-3), J’von Mangun 2-(-6), Reid II 14-(-54). B — Rodrigues 3-16, Glenn 1-12, Brian Christie 3-10, Randall Palakovich 1-8, Sommers 3-6, Mason Bond 1-(-1).
Receiving: B — Palakovich 1-30, Davis 1-3.
