The Selma Times-Journal

MOBILE – The Keith High School Bears took their third loss of the season Friday night, falling to the Bayside Academy Admirals 40-8.

The Bears are now 1-3 for the season and 0-3 in region play.

“I am disappointed with this loss,” said Keith coach Harry Crum. “I was mostly disappointed with the lack of effort from the defense.”

Early in the first quarter, a high snap during a punt attempt by Keith resulted in a safety for Bayside.

William Sanders scored the first touchdown for Bayside off a 5-yard run on its next possession.

Things started to look up for the Bears after their defense held the Admirals to a field goal try that missed and they were able to score on their next possession.

Antonio McCall threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Donovan Lewis, and Derrick James was able to run the ball in for the two-point conversion to tie the game 8-8 at the end of the first quarter.

Points for Keith stopped there.

“I thought we were about to turn a corner, but we just couldn’t seem to get around it,” said Crum.

Michael Sermon scored a pair of touchdowns, along with Jalen Brunson who scored another for Bayside in the second quarter, putting them up 26-8 at halftime.

Brunson scored a touchdown off a 15-yd run with 6:04 left in the third quarter, and Thomas Fugard gave the Admirals their last touchdown of the night early in the fourth.

Bayside had 35 rushes for 195 yards and completed 6-of-8 passes for 149 yards.

“We were a couple of plays and a couple of players away, but we were not mentally tough enough to overcome this,” said Crum.

The Bears had 42 yards rushing and 112 yards passing. Gerald Matthews had four catches for 85 yards.

William Pasley twisted his ankle during the game and will probably miss next Friday’s game.

“Losing Pasley will definitely hurt us, but we will work hard this week and try to get refocused,” said Crum. “We are looking forward to next week. It’s gonna be a dog fight.”

Keith will take on Dallas County on the road next Friday.