Firebirds Start Fast MBA Finished Faster
by. Palmer Thombs (D1 Highlights Intern)
Friday night’s contest between the Montgomery Bell Academy Big Red and the Pearl Cohn Firebirds was one to remember. The game started off in exciting fashion as the Firebirds’ defense, backed up in their own territory, forced an MBA fumble on a quarterback sneak. Devin Hyde, senior defensive back, picked up the loose ball and took it back 87 yards for the game’s first score. The Firebirds missed the ensuing extra-point attempt and led 6-0.
Pearl Cohn’s defense continued to shut down the run heavy Big Red offense. With great field position, Pearl Cohn capitalized with a 10 yard touchdown run by star wide receiver, Jimmyrious Parker. Once again, the Firebirds could not convert after the touchdown, as MBA senior, Gordon Pollock, intercepted the two point conversion attempt. Leading 12-0, the Firebirds had momentum and felt confident about knocking off the private school powerhouse for the first time since the merger between Pearl High School and Cohn High School in 1983.
But the Big Red had other visions in mind. MBA finally got on the board in the second quarter after driving 81 yards, finished off by a 3 yard punch-in touchdown from junior running back, Brenden Harris. After a Firebird three-and-out caused by the Big Red defense, a unit that forced two fumbles and intercepted two passes on the night, MBA scored once again, this time on a 26 yard touchdown connection between quarterback, Ty Allen, and running back, Michael McGuire. As Pearl Cohn got the ball back with under a minute left in the half, the action was not over. MBA junior safety, Nick German, intercepted Xavier Shepherd’s pass and returned it 56 yards to set up an Alex Massad field goal that put the Big Red up 17-12 at the halftime break.
The second half started just the way the first had ended. MBA had the ball, and Allen connected on another touchdown pass, this time, 51 yards to senior wide receiver, Jackson McFadden. Allen finished the night with 179 yards through the air and another 83 on the ground. One play into the next Pearl Cohn drive, the Firebirds fumbled the handoff, and senior linebacker, Clay Garstin, recovered for the Big Red, giving MBA the ball on the Firebird 18 yard line. Two plays later, Michael McGuire pounded his way into the endzone to give MBA a 31-12 lead. McGuire would find the endzone two more times and finished the game with 277 all-purpose yards. The Big Red pulled away and held off the feisty Firebirds, winning this one 45-26.
