Bastrop’s Memorial Stadium was the next venue to be hit by the black rain hurricane Friday, Sept. 9, as Cedar Park defeated the Bastrop Bears 30-0. Another lights out performance by the Timberwolf defense was coupled by a strong offensive showing in the second half. The Wolves made up for a slow start by scoring 21 points in the third quarter to run away with the victory.

The first quarter was defined by mistakes by both teams. Cedar Park had a touchdown vacated due to a personal foul penalty and turned the ball over in Bastrop territory several times. Bastrop, on the other hand, dropped several wide open passes that, if caught, would have gone for huge yardage and possibly a score. The black rain continued to play well, allowing Bastrop under 20 yards of total offense, according to KMAC sports.

“It was very important for the defense to step up and hold them until the offense picked it up,” senior linebacker Jordan Diver said. “All the defense knew to do was to pick the offense up and keep playing hard.”

Cedar Park finally broke through the Bears’ defense to open up the second quarter. A 36-yard reception by junior receiver Payden Sawicki set up a nine yard touchdown run from senior back Tyler Lavine. The Wolves fumbled the snap on the extra-point however and failed the try, settling the lead at 6-0. More strong Cedar Park defense kept the Bears off the board for the rest of the half, sending the team into the locker room with that same six point lead.

“I just told the guys to relax and make the plays we are capable of making,” Cedar Park head coach Carl Abseck said. “We had moved the ball well at times, but continued to make mistakes that prevented us from scoring. I told them if we could stop shooting ourselves in the foot, things would go well for us in the second half.”

The floodgates opened for the Cedar Park offense in the second half. Suffocating defense kept the Bears silent offensively. The Wolves scored early in the third off a one yard run by Lavine. The defense ensued to shut down Bastrop, setting up the offense with great field position. Senior back Omar Alzer found pay dirt through a 47-yard run to extend the lead. Great blocking by the offensive line allowed Lavine to score once again, this time from thirty-one yards out.

“We knew what we had to do and how hard we had been working,” junior offensive lineman Jonathan Kelly said. “We know nobody can beat us when we communicate and do our job.”

The Timberwolves focused on running the clock out in the fourth, giving many backs chances for solid carries. The only score of the quarter, which closed the scoring, was a field goal by senior Storm Jensen. Bastrop fought hard to get on the board, but they failed to navigate the black rain with success.

According to MaxPreps, Cedar Park outgained Bastrop offensively 471 yards to 44. Lavine ran for 153 yards and three touchdowns, while Alzer added 56 yards and a touchdown. Junior receiver Payden Sawicki caught six passes for 72 yards, leading the wide receivers for Cedar Park. Bastrop failed to score all game, giving the black rain their second shut out in a row.

Up next for Cedar Park comes Georgetown ISD’s 19-5A opponent East View. The Patriots come into the game with a 1-2 record. Last week, East View lost 65-40 to Rouse, keeping the game close but never really giving themselves a chance to win. The poor defensive showing will surely have the Cedar Park offense looking to take advantage on homecoming weekend in Cedar Park. The game will be played Friday night, Sept. 16, at Gupton Stadium.