Game of the Week - CCS Open Division: Bellarmine Bells vs Valley Christian HD

GetSportsFocus.com – by: Justin Lum TROY MARTIG PUTS THE TEAM ON HIS BACK With the Bells down 18-14 and two minutes left to play, quarterback Troy Martig accelerated full speed down the middle of the field for a 58-yard touchdown to take a 21-18 lead once and for all. Martig also threw a perfect 24-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Macauley that gave the Bells an early 14-0 lead in the second quarter. The junior went from rotating every other play with Griffin Quinn during the season to becoming a full-time starter in the playoffs. Now Bellarmine (11-2) is headed to it’s first CCS Open Division Championship game since 2012. #BELLBOYZ NO RUN ZONE The Bells defense made a statement from the beginning of the game, forcing Valley Christian to punt five times in a row before the Warriors kicked a 30-yard field goal before halftime. The first half was a dominant performance for Bellarmine as the defensive unit held Texas-bound running back Kirk Johnson to just 14 yards and a fumble on five carries after two quarters. VC would score it’s only two touchdowns in the fourth quarter on the ground with Johnson and Tre McCloud, taking an 18-14 lead after trailing all night. McCloud came into this game averaging seven yards per carry but was held to a decreased 4.5 average against Bellarmine. Kirk Johnson finished with 12 carries for 35 yards. CJ5 ACTIVATES BEAST MODE Valley Christian WR Collin Johnson was shadowed by safeties all game but it didn’t matter. The junior wideout finished with six receptions and 115 yards, including two catches on fade routes combining for 71 yards. It was a difficult challenge for Bells cornerback Kyle Macauley to cover Johnson man to man. Experts can confidently say that Collin won’t be referred to as “Kirk’s little brother” anymore and the Warriors playmaker can potentially be the best player in the WCAL next season.