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Sports

Beaumont Football Falters Late in Game

Cougars fight hard but give way in the fourth quarter, as the visiting Thunderbirds run to a 28-0 win in Beaumont.

For three quarters of play Beaumont High traded punches with a much bigger Yucaipa football team in front of a standing-room only crowd at San Gorgonio Middle School.

Then the fourth quarter arrived and the host Cougars could fight no more. The visiting Thunderbirds proceeded to pound their way to a 28-0 win.

Yucaipa scored on four straight possessions, taking advantage of Beaumont turnovers to score two of those touchdowns.

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“They started to wear us down,” Beaumont Coach Paul Lopez said. “We came up with that interception but still couldn’t hold them off.”

Beaumont (1-3) was outmanned from the start. In the end the Cougars were worn out.

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“We battled hard with a team that, on paper, is superior to us,” Lopez said. “They are a two-platoon team. We have five or six guys going both ways.”

Beaumont was within striking distance twice in the first half but came away with no points. The Cougars first staged a defensive stand that landed them on Yucaipa’s 29-yard line. Seven plays later the Cougars were forced to go for a 30 yard field goal, which sailed wide left.

The Cougars reached Yucaipa’s 31 on their next possession but turned the ball over on downs.

“We are trying to find our running game to control the ball,” Lopez said. “We controlled the ball the way we wanted but we didn’t put any points on the board.”

Beaumont completes the non-league schedule with next week’s rivalry week game at Banning High’s new football facility. The ‘Battle for the Wheel’ is an opportunity for both teams to build some momentum for league play.

“It’s very important to these guys and to everyone in this community,” Lopez said. “It’s the ‘Battle of the Wheel.’ It’s a pride game. No one needs to say anything about that game. The motivation is there.”

Editor's Note: A previous version of this report identified Yucaipa by an incorrect mascot name. They are the Thunderbirds.

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