North Beach’s defense keys 24-7 win over South Bend

SOUTH BEND — North Beach dialed up the perfect defensive effort just when it needed it the most to come up with three turnovers in South Bend’s red zone in a 24-7 win over the Indians in a Southwest Washington 2B Coastal Division game at Millam Field on Monday.

The Hyaks (2-1, 4-3) bent a little, but certainly didn’t break in the wind and rain. After South Bend (0-3, 2-5) scored on a long run by A.J. Sanchez in the first quarter, North Beach allowed the Tribe to drive, but turned away three separate scoring opportunities with an interception and a fumble recovery in the end zone and an interception on the North Beach 3-yard line.

“Our defense stepped up and stripped the ball and made the interceptions, so good for us, but it did not feel like 24-7,” North Beach coach Todd Bridge said. “We gave up some good plays, but we controlled the line of scrimmage offensively and defensively. Hats off to South Bend, they fought to the bitter end.”

North Beach controlled the line of scrimmage on offense to the tune of 392 rushing yards and had 67 offensive plays to just 33 for the Tribe.

“When you play North Beach, if you can’t get them off the field, it is a problem,” South Bend coach Tom Sanchez said. “Even as it is, we had our chances. If you turn the ball over three times inside the 5-yard line, the outcome probably isn’t going to be good. They handled us, but we had our chances and just didn’t convert.”

North Beach cashed in on its opening drive with Tavo Muro scoring on a 2-yard run and Brenden Chaney running in for the 2-point conversion, but South Bend answered right back in just two plays. A.J. Sanchez broke free for 63-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 8-7 after the extra point kick by Raul Mora.

North Beach fumbled the ensuing kickoff and South Bend was back in business on the Hyaks 19-yard line. However, on 4th down, the Hyaks picked off a pass into the end zone to keep the 1-point lead.

Chaney added another score in the second on a 2-yard run and tacked on the 2-point conversion on a quarterback keeper to take a 16-7 halftime lead.

After South Bend’s first drive of the second half stalled, North Beach drove for the final score of the game on a 1-yard run by Chaney and his third 2-point conversion on the day.

South Bend drove deep into Hyak territory early in the fourth quarter and faced third-and-goal on the Hyak 5-yard line. North Beach was able to tip a pass and come down with the interception on the 3-yard line. The Hyaks drove the ball to their own 30, but fumbled for the third time in the game. The Indians took advantage and looked as though they would capitalize on the opportunity, but South Bend fumbled the ball into the end zone after a long run to turn the ball back over to North Beach.

Chaney finished with 132 yards rushing on 23 carries, while Patrick Day-Heyd had 104 yards rushing on 11 carries. Bridge cited Diego Gonzalez and Seth Bridge for their work on defense.

Tom Sanchez cited Ben Byington, Josiah Markwell and Michael Oropeza for their performance on defense. A.J. Sanchez, Chase Flynn and Mora each recovered a fumble for the Tribe.

North Beach hosts Pe Ell-Willapa Valley on Friday, while South Bend travels to Raymond.