Theo Meijia pulls away for a big run, one of many Friday. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
Bartlett’s ground game overpowered visiting Colony early and often Friday night as the Golden Bears posted 130 of their 337 rushing yards in the opening four minutes and rolled to a 36-0 victory.
The Golden Bears got an 80-yard touchdown gallop from Theo Meijia on the first play of the game as he ran off guard and pulled away from the Knights defenders at midfield. After getting a three-and-out, Bartlett struck again with a 43-yard scamper by Andre Jameson, who took the pitch on a 4th-and-3 and tiptoed down the left sideline to paydirt.
Bartlett kept pouring it on as Silas Freeman passed to Tyrell Salvation for a 30-yard gain to highlight a 49-yard scoring drive, capped by an 11-yard dash by Makisi Poleo up the gut of the defense. Poleo added the two-point conversion to put the hosts ahead 22-0 before Colony had earned a first down.
Poleo is the Cook Inlet Conference’s top rusher who came into Friday’s game with 620 yards in three games. But he basically rode shotgun to Mejia, who drove the offense with a team-high 139 yards and two TDs on 13 carries.
The league’s top rusher was fourth on the team in yards on a night when the Golden Bears showcased their depth in the backfield. In addition to Meijia, other yard barkers included Simeon Alailefaleula (7-107), Jameson (2-48), Poleo (11-41) and Ethan Pletnikoff (3-13).
Andre Jameson averaged 26 yards on three touches. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
After the offense built a 22-0 lead at halftime, Bartlett’s defense did the rest by getting four sacks, a fumble recovery and three interceptions to keep Colony off the board.
Jameson had a pair of picks in the first half, including one in the red zone, and CJ Jardine made several highlight plays, including an interception of Colony quarterback Hayden Shafer midway through the third quarter.
The Golden Bears completed only two passes, but the second went for a 9-yard TD when Freeman found tight end Deuce Alailefaleula wide open in the back of the end zone to make it 30-0 with 3:40 to go in the third quarter.
Not to be outdone, Bartlett’s special teams put a bow on the victory by blocking Johnny Figgins’ 20-yard field-goal attempt on the final play of the game.
Colony’s Jordan Sterling pulled down four catches for 64 yards and backup quarterback Cody Lindstrom went 4-for-6 for 57 yards for the Knights, who were held to negative two yards rushing on the night.
Deuce Alailefaleula shows off his TD dance. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
Bartlett moved to 3-1 on the season and has outscored opponents 110-25 during its three-game winning streak. Colony dropped to 0-4.
Colony 0 0 0 0 – 0
Bartlett 22 0 8 6 – 36
FIRST QUARTER
Bartlett – Mejia 80 yards run (run failed) 11:48
Bartlett – Jameson 43 run (Jameson run) 8:06
Bartlett – Poleo 11 run (Poleo run) 5:21
SECOND QUARTER
No scoring
THIRD QUARTER
Bartlett – D. Alailefaleula 9 pass from Freeman (Mejia run) 3:40
FOURTH QUARTER
Bartlett – Mejia 1 run (run failed) 8:22
