Bartlett turns away East Aurora

The Bartlett run-to-pass ratio was skewed in the first half against East Aurora Friday night in Upstate Eight Conference Valley football action.

Quarterback Brenner Wallace was sacked three times in the first two quarters to give the Hawks negative rushing yardage at halftime.

But Bartlett would unleash Nolan Barnat and Travious-Brown Utley to great effect to ruin the Tomcats' homecoming in Aurora.

Bartlett scored 3 backbreaking third-quarter touchdowns to break open a relatively close game and cruise to a 41-8 victory.

The Hawks' defense never rested in forcing 6 East Aurora turnovers - including Cameron Hays' 3 interceptions - as Bartlett won for the second time in league play.

Barnat raced 79 yards two plays after Hayes' first interception to increase the Hawks' lead to 21-0 early in the third quarter.

Bartlett then forced a fumble on the Tomcats' subsequent first play from scrimmage.

Two scores a half-minute apart were soon realized when Wallace found his favorite target, tight end Jason Hasenberg, from 19 yards out.

The third score via the air as well as Wallace found a slashing Jacob Majewski at the goal line from 14 yards.

Bartlett would ultimately gain 202 yards rushing in the second half as Barnat finished with all 105 of his production after halftime.

Brown-Utley completed the scoring with a 41-yard burst right after East Aurora scored its lone touchdown.

Bartlett took a 14-0 lead at the intermission as Barnet caught a 14-yard pass from Wallace, and defensive lineman Tom Kirchoff returned a fumble 9 yards.