Bruins’ comeback against Rocklin runs out of time

ROCKLIN — With only 1:36 left in the fourth quarter Friday, Ponderosa quarterback Jacob Bist led the Bruins back onto the field against host Rocklin.

Backed up to its own 16-yard line, the all-out effort and determination by Ponderosa linemen Hunter Gold, Erik McKinnon, Galen Fine and Steven Trivette kept Bist (16-of-29, 140 yards, three touchdowns) upright to find open receivers and direct the Bruins to the Thunder 9 with only two seconds left.

Though the Shingle Springs team displayed outstanding resolve as the line held their blocks and Bist found Ben Boardway in the right corner of the end zone for the touchdown, it wasn't enough as Ponderosa was on the short end of a 31-27 score to close the preseason.

“That was one of our best efforts as a team that we have put out there on the field in my time as coach," Bruin coach Jason Tenner said of Ponderosa's final possession. "Our team was down early and had a tough first half but we came out fighting over the final two quarters and gave Rocklin all that we had. Now we have some time to get healthy and look forward to our first league game against Oak Ridge in two weeks."

Friday the Thunder used two, long, time-consuming drives to go up 14-0 toward the end of the second quarter. The Ponderosa defense of Jeff Camilli, Boardway, McKinnon, Fine, Darren Brundage, Kaden Mosbacher and Michael Webster, along with a host of other Bruins, appeared to stop Rocklin on a fourth down play at the end of the half but was shocked and stunned when the Thunder were awarded a first down and, two plays later, extended their lead to 21-0.

“This was a great effort by our team tonight. Both our lines were tremendous and our defense was able to step up in the second half. As a team everyone played their hearts out. Now we need to improve and start to prepare for the next game,” Camilli said.

The Bruins were left with 44 seconds to move the ball and did all the way to the Rocklin 12 where, with 7 seconds left, Bist found Alex Roberts on a slant to put Ponderosa on the board.

Rocklin quickly regained momentum in the third quarter with a touchdown to take a 28-6 advantage. It stayed that way until McKinnon's sack forced a punt and the Bruins took advantage as Boardway (10 carries, 155 yards) broke off a 50-yard run down to the 1. Chris Hobbs took it from there to trim the deficit to 28-14 after Boardway threw a pass back to Bist for the two-point conversion.

Ponderosa battled into the fourth quarter and Webster's interception gave the Bruins the ball with under seven minutes remaining. Ponderosa advanced down to the Thunder 19 after Boardway's 46-yard jaunt and on a fourth down play, Bist hit Boardway with a swing pass for the touchdown. The extra point by Connor Swartz pulled the Bruins to within 21-28 with 4:30 left.

A late Rocklin field goal increased its lead to 31-21 before Ponderosa converted on its last possession as time ran out.