New Bern falls to Independence 38-19

Photo by William R. Toler

Bears wide receiver Darryl Reynolds goes up to catch a pass over Patriots defender Zavis Padgett.

By Eric Voliva

The Independent Register

RALEIGH — The Bears were stunned tonight by an Independence team that had yet to lose a single game in the last six years — 91-0 was their record heading into the game — in the 38-19 loss. New Bern was out-gained on offense 224 yards to Independence’s 377, but managed to win the turnover battle by taking the ball away three times while only giving it up twice. Bears quarterback David Towarnicky was held to 166 yards passing, while completing 10 of the 29 passes he attempted, good enough for a 34 percent completion ratio. New Bern running back Kelvin Hardesty rushed for 68 yards on 15 carries, with an average of 4.5 per rush. He had some big gains — a 26-yarder in the third quarter — but mostly was held in check on the night by a tough Patriots defense. Darryl Reynolds led the Bears in receptions with five for 68 yards and a touchdown. Woody Wilson wasn’t far behind Reynolds with three receptions for 36 yards and a long of 18. Generra Taylor had an amazing 39-yard reception in the first quarter, but was shut down for the rest of the game by Independence. The Independent Register’s pick for the Bears’ player of the game was Darryl Reynolds for his 27-yard touchdown reception with 29 seconds left in the first half, and also his interception of Patriots quarterback Darryl McFadden, which he turned into a 65-yard score. Reynolds accounted for 12 of the Bears’ points in the 19 point loss.