As first quarter action developed, it looked like defense was going to be the name of the game as both teams struggled to get any consistent offensive output going. There were strong defensive efforts from both sides of the field with Lincoln's Travis Schaff and Branham's Joshua Lagod leading the way for their respective teams.

The first quarter ended in a scoreless deadlock with neither team finding the solution to get its offense clicking.

The stalemate continued well into the second quarter. Any time either offense would begin to make progress, the opposing defense would stiffen or a turnover would put an end to any scoring threat.

Midway through the second quarter, Lincoln got the ball with great field position near midfield. They were moving well when the turnover bug struck again as Monty Mendoza fumbled at the 29-yard line and Branham's Robbie Reeser fell on the ball.

Lightning struck quickly. On the first play from scrimmage, Bruin Andre Ingram received the pitch on the option play, headed for the corner and didn't stop until he had raced 71 yards up the sideline for the score.

"I got a good block from our tight end [Steve] Brugge that broke me loose," said Ingram. "So I cut back and then used my speed to bounce outside." Louis Sakoda converted and the Bruins were up 7-0.

The Bruins defense continued to shut down the Lions offense, forcing another short possession and a punt. Chris Garcia really got his foot into the kick and put the Bruins all the way back to their own 25-yard line. The Bruins tried the option again with quarterback T.J. DeStefano keeping it this time and scampering down the sideline 77 yards for the score.

Branham quickly got the ball again after forcing the Lions to go three and out. Ingram took the pitch and headed for the corner on the sweep. He appeared to be trapped but "I had to wait for my linemen to make their blocks so I could cut up field," said Ingram. Those blocks were made by A.J. Tyler and Matt Haro, springing Ingram loose for a 59-yard touchdown.

The Bruins had struck for three quick scores in just over four minutes to completely turn the momentum their way as the half ended with Branham leading 21-0.

"Branham is a disciplined offensive team," said Lincoln coach Kevin Collins. "If you make mistakes, they will hit you with big runs which is what they did."

The Lions had a never say die spirit as they came out in the second half and attempted an onside kick to try and get things going but were unsuccessful. They made an adjustment on offense, inserting Raul Cervantez at quarterback. However, the second half proved to be more of the same for the Lions as each time they would begin to move the ball they would be stalled by a turnover. The Lions had four fumbles, one interception [picked by Branham's Nolan Robison], and turned the ball over on downs four times.

Bryan Anderson led the offense in the first half. He completed 5 of 13 for 42 yards. Cervantez passed for 30 yards in a 5 for 17 effort in the second half. Jose Solorio grabbed five passes for 29 yards and Raul Figueroa snagged four for 35 yards.

Figueroa also led the ground attack for the Lions, carrying 15 times for 84 yards. He had strong support from Mendoza who finished the day with 81 yards on 17 attempts. All of the yards from both players were hard-nosed smashes into the heart of the Bruin defense.

Branham scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Both were on runs by Lagod, one for 22 yards and the other for four yards.

The offensive output for the Bruins came totally by way of the ground game. DeStefano attempted only one pass in the game.

Ingram led all runners, carrying 12 times for 135 yards. Cameron Pickering added 79 yards on 15 carries and DeStefano ran seven times for 79 yards. Others who contributed were Lagod (six for 42 yards), Kenny Shearer (two for 22 yards) and Robison (two for 16 yards).

Branham coach Dave Cardoza said,

"One of the keys to the game was our kicking game," said Branham coach Dave Cardoza. "Sakoda did a good job punting and keeping them deep in their territory until we could get on track." Sakoda was also good on all five PAT attempts and hit a 40-yard field goal in the third quarter.

In reflecting on the outcome, Collins said, "They're good, but not 38 points better than us. At times our defense played very good. We just gave the ball up too many times."

"I feel bad for the kids. We worked hard preparing for this game. I am disappointed that the outcome was not closer."

Branham will try to make it two straight in league play when the Bruins host Prospect on Nov. 1, 1:30 p.m. The Panthers are 0-3 in the division and 1-6 for the year after losing 35-3 to Westmont last week.