Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By SCOTT MIMS | Special to the Selma Times-Journal

BILLINGSLEY – Two kinds of Bears met on the field Friday night, Oct. 24, but those wearing yellow and black dominated, as Billingsley defeated Keith on their way to the playoffs, 40-8.

“I thought we played a really clean first half,” said Billingsley coach Lanny Jones. “The only thing is, we can’t get behind the chain on offense. When you get behind the chains it makes it a little more difficult.”

Jones, who celebrated his birthday Friday, praised the team’s defense but said he wants special teams to improve in order to help create more depth going forward. The most recent win brings some welcome momentum, he added.

“It’s a great confidence booster for us, and it helps us understand where we’re at,” Jones said.

Billingsley led 40-0 as the fourth quarter clock ticked under 4 minutes. Billingsley had entered the red zone, but Keith’s defense made a stop and regained possession due to a turnover on downs.

Keith’s Malkom Jones used that momentum to run the ball all the way back for a long touchdown, spoiling the shutout for Billingsley and putting Keith on the board. The play was capped by a two-point conversion to make it 40-8.

For Billingsley, it was Kaden Cotton’s night to shine as he scored the first four touchdowns of the game. The first three came on rushing plays of 5, 19 and 10 yards, respectively; and the fourth on a 29-yard pass from quarterback Kyle Boice, who topped it with a conversion.

Going into halftime the score was 26-0 Billingsley.

Back on the field in the third, Boice continued his passing attack, this time finding Jaylen Cutler with 7:22 on the clock. Another conversion made it 34-0, and then Billingsley recovered a fumble and took over at the Keith 31-yard line.

Another pass to Cutler put Billingsley up 40-0, and the score would only change with Keith’s lone touchdown of the evening.

For BHS, Cotton rushed for 187 yards on 17 carries, and picked up 28 yards receiving. Boice rushed for 125 yards on 11 carries, and passed for 66 yards. Cutler rushed for 26 yards on two carries, and picked up 35 yards receiving. In all, Billingsley totaled 350 yards on offense.

Caleb Massey led the team defensively for Billingsley, making 14 tackles; followed by Trey Byrd (10 tackles), Gabe Cardenas (nine tackles) and Boice (six tackles and one interception).

Next week, Billingsley travels to McKenzie, while Keith faces Selma at home for the final week of the regular season.