Two consecutive losses and the memory of a 20-19 loss to Holy Spirit in 2010 haunted the Keith High School football team all week.

When the first whistle sounded Friday night, the Bears were like a bull storming out of the gate on their way to a 49-0 win.

Keith wasted no time getting on the board as Martavius Harris took the opening kick 75 yards for the score. Bobby Barnes hit the extra point to make the score 7-0 with only 13 seconds off the clock.

Harris said he knew when the ball was kicked to him he had to make a play.

“I just wanted to do something to get us off to a fast start,” he said. “I wanted to get us hyped.”

The Bears scored early and often, rolling up 395 total yards to the Titans’ 45.

Terrell Velazquez got Keith on the board on its next possession with a 40-yard run. The extra point made the score 14-0 with 7:58 in the opening quarter. Damarquis Lumpkin followed suit on the first play of the next drive with a 45-yard run to make the score 21-0 after the extra point with 6:31 to go in the opening period.

The Bears struck again with 40 seconds left in the first quarter with another Velazquez touchdown, this time from 11 yards, to make the score 28-0 heading into the second quarter.

A touchdown run and another by Delmuss Irby gave the Bears a 42-0 lead heading into the half.

In the second half, the two teams agreed to play four-minute quarters, which cut down on the Bears opportunities to score. However, on one of Keith’s two possessions Ellis broke free for a 50-yard run to cap the scoring at 49-0.

Aside from getting lots of players involved in live action, Bears head coach Harry Crum said one of the most important aspects of the game was escaping injury free and getting the win. Tasting victory, he said, was huge for his players.

“We really needed this,” he said.

“We started with some tough teams in Maplesville and Pickens County. It was great for them to get back on the winning side.”

This week, Crum said the road gets much tougher as they welcome in-county rival Southside to Orrville.

“We know how rivalries can be,” Crum said. “These guys all know each other, so we know it is going to be a tough game.”

The Bears, now 2-2 on the season, and Panthers, who fell to 0-4 Friday night, will kick off at 7 p.m.

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