Bist’s touchdown passes ground Nighthawks

Bruins makes catches on both sides of the ball

SACRAMENTO — Jake Bist led an offensive attack in the second half for the Ponderosa High football team Friday resulting in a 60-13 nonleague victory over host Natomas.

Overall, Bist completed 15-of-24 passes for 267 yards and four touchdowns. The Bruins led 26-13 at the half and extended after Bist hit Austin Tibbs for an 11-yard score. Curtis Goldsmith booted the extra-point.

Alex Richards intercepted a pass by Daniel Guttierrez to set up Bist’s second throwing strike four plays later — an 11-yard toss to Christian Canepa (five catches, 99 yards) to make it 40-13 with 7:09 left in the quarter. After Craig McKinnon picked Guttierrez, Bist found Canepa again from 34 yards out.

“The protection was great,” Bist said. “The offensive line was talking, they picked up the blitzes. The backs picked up the blitzes, too.”

Ponderosa (4-0) increased its lead to 54-13 when Tyler Mickelson picked off another Guttierrez pass and raced 30 yards to the end zone. Quarterback Colby Chiverton scored the Bruins’ last touchdown on a 2-yard keeper.

Over the final 24 minutes, Ponderosa’s defense held the Nighthawks (0-4) to 79 yards and 165 total. Ponderosa finished with 438 total yards.

The Bruins got off to a shaky start as Natomas’ Shon Opp scooped up a fumble on the first play and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown. After Bist hit wide receiver Evan Ortiz on a 36-yard strike to cut the Nighthawks’ lead to 7-6 with 5:06 left, Flynn scored on an 8-yard run with 58 seconds left to build his team’s lead to 13-6.

“We came out flat,” Ponderosa head coach Jason Tenner said. “We have the ability to play good football when we’re focused. I wasn’t happy with our execution (in the first quarter).”

Canpea scored on a 4-yard run but the extra-point kick missed and the Bruins trailed 13-12. Jeff Camilli scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 41-yard run and followed up with a 2 yard run with 2:30 left to make it 26-13.

“We need to be able to come out and play four quarters of football and be disciplined,” Tenner said.  “I think the kids will be more fired up (against Rio Linda next Friday).”

Contact Mike Bush at 530-344-5079 or mbush@mtdemocrat.net. Follow @MBushMtDemo on Twitter. 

Mike Bush

Mike Bush has been working at the Mountain Democrat since August 2011. Mike is the Sports Writer and Features Writer.

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