[NEWARKCATHOLICFAN]

The numbers for Central Hardin was difficult to read so the players given credit for plays in this article could be wrong.

First I want to give a big thank you to Mercer County athletic director,Donald Wayne Smith for the pass and to the lady who passed programs out to the crowd.

For me this was my first trip to this bowl game. Other than the hard drive on 68 I enjoyed myself. The rain was bad at times, but I was under some roofing so I did not get wet.

Now to the game. 6-4 200 Quarterback, Gunnar Gillis got things going with a 16-yard run to the right side just :21 into the game. There was a little under 9:00 remaining when the Titans went to their trick play book, a halfback pass by 5-11, 165 pound,senior Dustin Baker was picked off by #23 Chris Bellin, a 6-0, 165 defensive back.

The Titans defense made quick work of the Bruins offense as they shut them down on three plays, giving up a total of 6-yards.

When Mercer got the ball back Baker picked up 16-yards on a fine run, with 6:44 left. This young man will be dangerous on a dry field. He looked quick and seemed to have good field vision. Gillis would pick up 7-yards on a 3rd and 8 play,and to make matters worse he was injured on the play. the clock stopped with 6:56 left, for the injury timeout. Baker moved to quarterback and on fourth and one he with up the gut of the defense to pick up the first down at the 5:42 mark of the quarter.Grayson Blevins added 11 yards on his carry and if not for a good tackle by Bellin the run would have been a bit longer. The clock read 5:17 after the play. With 4:15 left in the quarter Mercer County was faced with a 3rd and 9, Baker took off up field and gained eight yards. Once again the Titans decided to go for it and once again they were successful as D. Smith powered his way to the Bruins 3-yard line. The 14-play,62-yards drive came to a climax with a 1-yard run by Baker.Out of the hold by Grayson Blevins, Caleb Morrison made this a,7-0 game, with 3:06 left in the quarter.

Central Hardin appeared to have a kickoff return for a touchdown but a holding called negated the play and left this a.7-0 game.

Darius Barbour took off to his left and gained 19-yards for a Bruins first down, with 1:53 left in the quarter.Reece Ller #3 picked up 20-yards at the 1:36 mark of the quarter. This young man played a good game on both sides of the ball. With just 1:30 left in the quarter #34 Darius Barbour broke to his left and did not stop until he had a 17-yard Bruins score. Garrett Schall locked this one up at seven with his point after kick.

The 2nd quarter had been a defensive battle and with 5:37 left this showed big time as,Tyus Short got to DeOnta Duncan, a 6-1, 220 pound fullback for a 3-yard loss.

With a little over three minutes left in the half a fumble in the end zone by a Bruin ball carrier was recovered by Bryce Woosley for a touchdown. The point after made this a, 14-7 game.
This would be the last score of the half.

From talk I had her this one was not suppose to be as close as it was. Blame it on the rain or what ever you wish but to me it was this close because you had two teams that were giving 100% on each play and both was as expected showing that the defense was a few yards ahead of the offense, at this time of the 2016 football season.

With 10:15 left in the third Short, Zach Belding and Collin Miracle teamed up to take down Bruins ball carrier Trae Talley holding him to no gain on the play.

The quarter had 7:32 left when, Gillis hooked up with Aaron Johnson for a 16-yard gain.
Nothing much else would happen on this drive as the Bruin defense again flexed its Hulk Hogan like muscles.

5:08 was left in the quarter when Central Hardin fumbled the ball and a player for Mercer County came up with the ball. I could not see who fumbled or who recovered the ball, and I am guessing the guys in the press box could not see it either, as they did not call it out.

Gillis, who to me never looked the same after he was injured would throw a pick to Ller with 2:34 left in the quarter.

The teams entered the final quarter, with the score still, 14-7 Bruins.

:12 into the final frame the Bruins got a 16 yard run by Trae Talley, making the tackle for the Titans was Zach Belding.

The Bruins would go to the air with 10:46 left and the result was a pick by Camden Martin. It looked from my seat Martin tipped the ball and took it away from the receiver. Either way the young man made a very good play.

Mercer failed to do anything on offense after the pick, so they were forced to punt the ball. On the return, Barbour took the ball all the way to the Titans 25-yard line. I believe it was #2 Talley who took the ball in from 19-yards out. The point after made this a,21-7 game and that is the way it would end.

Putting the final touches on the win was Bryce Woosley, with a 10-yard sack.

I do not have any unofficial stats. In looking at my notes, I can see there is some mistakes on it. Sorry to anyone who actually read these articles.