On September 5, the Moscow Bears faced off against the Clarkston Bantams in a nonleague football game at Adams Field in Clarkston. The Bears emerged victorious with a score of 24-6, showcasing a remarkable turnaround after a challenging start to the season.
Moscow quarterback Keaton Frei had a standout performance, accumulating 135 rushing yards and 78 passing yards. Despite the grueling nearly three-hour match, Frei demonstrated resilience and leadership on the field. After a pivotal moment in the game, where the Bears recovered a kickoff, Frei was called back into action by first-year head coach Dwight Tardy, who urged him to solidify their lead. "He told me personally, 'Keaton, this is where we put it away. Please march this in,'" Frei recalled. The Bears responded by quickly expanding their lead from 10-6 to 24-6 within just over a minute.
The Bears' scoring spree was fueled by a combination of Frei's mobility, kicker Austin Mallet's contributions, and a tenacious defense that stifled the Bantams' offensive efforts. Mallet not only caught a touchdown pass from Frei but also executed a critical kickoff that led to another scoring opportunity for Moscow. This victory marked a significant improvement for the Bears, who had suffered a heavy defeat in their season opener.
Coach Tardy emphasized the importance of unity and belief among his players. After the Bears' initial loss, he noted, "The first game put a damper on us, and we had to pull ourselves out of a hole. Guys found faith in each other, and they know this is a game of inches and they’re gonna fight with each other for every inch." This newfound camaraderie was evident in their performance against Clarkston.
Frei, who was named the starting quarterback just days before the game, stepped up in the absence of injured sophomore Wyatt Cross. His leadership was recognized by Tardy, who praised him as the team’s best leader. Frei's commitment to the program is deeply rooted, influenced by his two older brothers who also played for the Bears. He expressed his desire to be a role model for his teammates, stating, "That’s the biggest thing I can do right now is just be a leader for the team and be the guy that they can look up to."
The game began with a series of penalties as both teams struggled to find their rhythm. The Bears eventually scored the first points of the game late in the first quarter, with Frei rushing for a touchdown. The Bantams, led by quarterback Kendry Gimlin, attempted to establish their running game but found it difficult to contain Frei's dynamic play.
Clarkston's coach, Kyle Fox, acknowledged the challenges his team faced, particularly in their first game of the season. He noted, "I thought that some of our inexperience showed. You have to contain the quarterback, especially a kid that’s that fast, and we didn’t do that consistently." Despite the loss, Fox remains optimistic about his team's potential for growth as the season progresses.
In the second half, Clarkston managed to score their only touchdown of the game, thanks to junior running back Leavitt Hyde, who rushed for 71 yards. However, the Bears quickly responded with two more touchdowns to secure their victory.
Looking ahead, the Bears will host Pullman next week, while the Bantams will prepare for a matchup against Lewiston in the Battle of the Bridges. Coach Tardy emphasized the need for his team to continue improving their discipline and execution on the field, stating, "There’s a lot to learn with this group of kids as far as how to win, how to practice, how to behave, how to be men." With this win, the Moscow Bears are beginning to find their footing as they navigate the challenges of the season.
Moscow 7 3 14 0—24
Clarkston 0 0 6 0—6
FIRST QUARTER
Moscow — Keaston Frei 1 run (Austin Mallet kick), 3:00.
SECOND QUARTER
Moscow — Mallet 30 field goal, 6:10.
THIRD QUARTER
Clarkston — Leavitt Hyde 14 run (kick failed) 8:07.
Moscow — Austin Mallet 10 pass from Frei (Mallet kick) 3:10.
Moscow — Kolten Kendall 5 run (Mallet kick), 1:59.
PASSING — Moscow: Frei 5-11-0-78. Clarkston: Kendry Gimlin 13-23-1-127.
RUSHING — Moscow: Frei 16-135, Mason Marzolf 5-36, Sam Drake 5-16, Kolten Kendall 5-13, Ryle Chaney 1-3. Clarkston: Leavitt Hyde 9-71, Niko AhHi 9-12, Gimlin 9-12.
RECEIVING — Moscow: Kendall 1-8, Curtis Carr 3-58, Mallet 1-12. Clarkston: Ethan White 4-48, Darren Cleveland 3-40, Shaun Douglass 3-24, Nico AhHi 3-15.
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