CLEVELAND, Tenn. - During the week that led up to the "Crosstown Clash," Cleveland students hung a sign up at Bradley Central that said "We Run This Town."
With minutes left in Friday night's game, the boisterous Bradley student section spilled onto the sideline with that same sign after the Bears' fourth consecutive victory in the rivalry.
In case you're one of the few Bradley Central or Cleveland football fans who were not at the game tonight, here are a few photos. @TimesFreePress reporter @kevin_llewallyn's story about @BradleyCentral's win over @clevelandhightn lives here https://t.co/VgxbnjN8F0. #bestofpreps pic.twitter.com/r2UsfRkrBQ
— Erin O. Smith (@eosmit8) September 15, 2018
Bradley Central beat host Cleveland 32-14 in what was also a Region 2-6A matchup. The Bears were led by junior running back Ricky McCleary's four touchdowns, 93 yards rushing and 41 yards receiving.
"It's a feeling you can't describe. This is different than any other win," said Bears coach Damon Floyd. "There's a big difference between 2-2 and 1-3, but any time you beat your rival it's big."
Bradley Central quarterback Dylan Standifer speaks with @TimesFreePress reporter @kevin_llewallyn following Bradley Central's 32-14 win over Cleveland. pic.twitter.com/RbCpm0XUVH
— Erin O. Smith (@eosmit8) September 15, 2018
After a scoreless first quarter, Bradley (2-2, 1-1) broke through on a 10-play, 80-yard drive that took over five minutes and was capped by a 14-yard touchdown run by McCleary.
Cleveland (1-3, 1-1) was forced to punt on the ensuing possession, and Bradley quarterback Dylan Standifer hooked up with Saylor Clark for 59 yards on the first play of the next drive. McCleary - who transferred from Cleveland Middle School - scored again from 1 yard out to extend the Bears' lead to 14-0.
Bradley Central running back Ricky McCleary speaks with @TimesFreePress reporter @kevin_llewallyn following Bradley Central's 32-14 win over Cleveland. pic.twitter.com/ZVU8v1CDil
— Erin O. Smith (@eosmit8) September 15, 2018
"Obviously this game is different than every other game," Standifer said. "This is a special one. Honestly, I'm not going to lie, it feels great being 4-0 against them."
A fantastic kickoff return set Cleveland up at Bradley's 45-yard line, and after converting a fourth-and-1 by the nose of the ball, quarterback Jackson Moore hit Robert Flowers for a 35-yard strike to put the Blue Raiders on the board and cut the Bears' lead to 14-7 at halftime.
Bradley Central head coach Damon Floyd speaks with his team following his Bradley Central's 32-14 win over Cleveland. #bestofpreps @TimesFreePress @BradleyCentral pic.twitter.com/hjQcrPFpy4
— Erin O. Smith (@eosmit8) September 15, 2018
Cleveland received the second-half kickoff, but a three-and-out and a 19-yard punt set up Bradley's offense on the Blue Raiders' 33, and the Bears cashed in nine plays later on a 4-yard touchdown run by McCleary to go up 20-7.
Cleveland answered in just four plays on the second touchdown connection between Moore and Flowers, this time from 44 yards. Flowers finished with five catches for 117 yards.
The Blue Raiders' two touchdown passes accounted for over half of their 154 total yards - 40 in the second half. The stingy Bears defense got consistent pressure on Moore with three sacks and an interception and stuffed the running game to the tune of 25 yards on 23 carries.
After McCleary's fourth touchdown of the night from 46 yards on the next drive, Cleveland fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and Standifer hit sophomore Tray Curry from 4 yards out four plays later just before the end of the third quarter to give the Bears the final margin.
Contact Kevin Llewallyn at sports@timesfreepress.com.