Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Bombers Continue Downward Spiral

Loss to LaSalle could end postseason appearances for Bombers

by Bret Sims

The Bombers went into Friday’s game against LaSalle looking to get back on track after their 33-15 shellacking at the hands of the Elder Panthers the previous week.

St. X came into the game having dropped down to 5th in the Enquirer Division I coaches poll but before the night was over they were destined to fall even further but it wasn’t the drop in the polls that might be as much of a concern as the injuries that continue to pile up.

The defending state champs lost another QB and their top running back in the 10-7 loss to GCL rival the LaSalle Lancers as they dropped to 3-4 overall and 0-2 in the conference.

Senior Sam Male was the second Bomber QB to break his collar bone this season. Previous starter Luke Massa broke his earlier this season and is most likely out for the rest of the year.

Connor Earley who was leading the Bombers in rushing with 330 yards and 3 TDs left with a knee infury that was believed to be a torn MCL. Throw in the loss of starting guard Eric Gantzer and WR Ian Cummins from earlier in the season and you can see why St. X has a long road to hoe. "When it rains, it pours," Specht said.

St. X (3-4) could miss the postseason for the first time since 2003.

St. X is 3-4, which is more losses than Specht had in his previous four seasons as head coach (51-3).

"You are what your record says you are," Specht said. "We have kids who have never been in this situation, but we're just gonna keep plugging. Injuries are part of the game but you have to be able to overcome that ... These kids are learning their life lessons. You learn more from failure than you do from success."

LaSalle recorded their first win in the GCL with their win over the Bombers and improved their record to 3-4 overall.

The Lancers started the scoring in the second quarter on a 28-yard field goal by Alex Schuster.

Joe Andrews scored what would be the game winning touchdown with 6:35 remaining in regulation on a two yard plunge. And quite possibly have ended the Bombers quest for another playoff appearance.