Jordan Gerfen had already missed two field goals—of 25 and 39 yards—before he started lining up his third attempt with a little less than six minutes remaining in a tied ball game last Friday.

“Early in the year you have to see if they can do it,” said Box Elder football head coach Robbie Gunter. He said Gerfen’s early misses were the result of mechanical problems that Gerfen knew how to correct.

And he did.

“I knew he could make it,” said Gunter, “I was just waiting for him to figure it out.”

The field goal gave Box Elder a three-point lead over Bear River, 14-17, which carried the Bees to their second win of the season.

While It may have been Gerfen’s kick that gave Box Elder the lead in the game, coaches and players said the planning and execution of the defensive game plan is really responsible for the win.

Bear River entered the game with one of the highest scoring offenses in the state, tallying 113 points and 904 yards in their first two games. So the fact that Box Elder held the Bears to just 14 points on 250 total yards is quite a testament.

“Our defense did a wonderful job,” said Gunter, who added that the kids trusted the coaches and each other, which allowed for nearly flawless execution. “I knew if they just stuck to the game plan we’d have a chance.”

According to defensive coordinator Mike Robinson, the Bees had planned and prepared well for the Bears potent running game, and that the Bears’ first score, a 15-yard run by Payton Wells, was one of the few breakdowns of the game plan.

“We didn’t quite adjust to it correctly,” he said. Robinson took credit for the Bears second, and last, score, a 29-yard pass from James Taylor to Dax Sederholm early in the second quarter, saying he made a poor call for pass coverage.

By the end of the first half, the teams were tied at 14 and in such a close contest, momentum would play a key role in the second.

And it didn’t take long for Box Elder to steal it.

The Bees’ Chris Johnson and Eric Lewis forced and recovered fumbles on Bear River’s first two possessions of the second half. On the second fumble, Lewis had a chance to put the game away for good when he scooped the ball and ran 93 yards into the end zone. A block in the back by Box Elder negated the run.

Gunter said the fumbles were crucial to taking the Bears out of the game.

“If those happen early in the game you can turn the page,” he said.

The two fumbles and three sacks recorded by the Bees were indicative to defensive line coach Aric Craig that the Bees were getting the job done of “wreaking havoc in the backfield.” Bear River running backs often saw purple as soon as they got the ball, and were it not for the slippery nature of Taylor, the Bees would have had a handful of sacks. Sean Smith recorded two of those sacks—one to end the first half and one to end the game—and is averaging two sacks a game so far this season.

There were plenty of accolades for the Box Elder defense, from stories in the statewide media, to players, coaches and fans.

“When our defense comes together and plays as a team...we play exceptionally well. That’s definitely what won us the game,” said Bees’ tight end Carson Mund.

But both Robinson and Craig expressed similar sentiments: It’s easy to play defense when your offense is always on the field.

“The credit goes to the offense,” said Craig. “They controlled the game.

Box Elder took just five plays and less than two minutes to turn their first drive into a touchdown, a 55-yard run by Sean Smith, which was set up by a big block from T.J. Barlow. But on their second touchdown drive midway through the second quarter, the Bees marched 69 yards in 15 plays, recorded five first-downs and ate up nearly six minutes of the clock before Mitch Parrish hit Carson Mund from eight yards out to tie the score at 14. The Bees converted on three third downs in the drive.

“That’s pretty important, when you can keep a drive alive,” said Gunter. “When you can keep their offense off the field for blocks of time—that’s huge.” Between the defense’s dominance and the offense’s long drive, the Bears were held to minus-5 yards in the second quarter.

Parrish went 16-for-28 for 126 yards and one touchdown. Britton Gunter led all receivers with 67 yards on seven receptions. Smith rushed for 152 yards on 20 carries. Barlow was next best with a single run for 12 yards.

However, it isn’t all roses and sunshine in B-town as low snaps and penalties helped steal opportunities from Box Elder.

“The little things make all the difference,” said Gunter. “Those kind of things have to be cleaned up.”

This week the Bees will travel to Spanish Fork to take on the Dons.

“They’re big and physical,” said Gunter about his team’s next opponents. They’re also led by a good sophomore quarterback who threw for 351 yards and four touchdowns in a 49-14 win over Orem last week. Gunter also noted the team’s tight end, who has become a big Division I prospect.

The key to the win is going to start with the Bees’ line, where they are going to have to penetrate and disrupt the Don’s quarterback to take some of the pressure off the secondary.

Game time is 7 p.m.