West St. John committed numerous mistakes Friday against Bonnabel, but none was more costly than an illegal formation penalty that nullified a 29-yard touchdown pass with the Rams trailing 14-0 and 16 seconds remaining before halftime.

The significance of the single play was not lost to WSJ head coach Robert Valdez.

“It took points off the board. In a game this close, that was big,” Valdez said. “If we had gone into halftime down 14-7, it would have changed the whole complexion of the game. We might be able to come out more aggressive on the ground instead of playing catch-up.”

Instead, the call forced the Class 1A Rams (1-1) to deviate from its ground-based game plan, and Class 5A Bonnabel (1-1) held on to their lead en route to a 14-7 victory in Muss Bertolino Stadium.

The Bruins jumped out to a quick first quarter lead, capping off their first possession with a five-yard run up the middle by junior quarterback Ryan Evans. Bonnabel extended its lead an additional score after WSJ muffed the ensuing kickoff and senior linebacker Tevin Clark recovered. The turnover set the Bruins up for a quick two-play touchdown drive, capped by a 20-yard scoring scamper from Evans less than a minute after their first end zone visit.

Evans, a third-year starter, accounted for the majority of Bonnabel’s offensive effort, racking up 194 of the team’s 239 yards, though the Rams held him to just 55 yards in the second half. Behind the helm of the Bruins’ no huddle scheme, he finished the night with 86 rushing yards on 21 attempts.

“(Evans) was tremendous,” Valdez said. “It’s hard playing against a team with that many athletes. You have to cover the receivers, but you also have to be able to contain the quarterback too. That kid is pretty good.”

For their part, the WSJ offense finished the game with 225 yards with much of that production coming from aggressive downfield passes late in the second half. Freshman quarterback Austin Howard completed only three passes for 35 yards in the first half but finished the contest completing 12 of 21 pass attempts for 126 yards and one touchdown.

The only Rams touchdown came on its final drive of the game. Howard completed all four of his passing attempts on the drive and capped it off with a 36-yard touchdown pass to Jarius Moll with 2:01 remaining in the fourth quarter. WSJ, however, failed to recover the ensuing onside kick, and the Bruins ran out the remaining clock time.

Moll, West St. John’s leading receiver, enjoyed an impressive game and collected six receptions for 97 yards and one score. Junior Blandy Young led a running-back-by-committee effort for the Rams, earning 38 yards on nine carries.

The Rams defense forced two Bruins interceptions in the first half, collected Moll and senior Denzel Pierre respectively. Evans was also sacked on three occasions.

Bonnabel had a magnificent touchdown catch by junior wide receiver Jeffrey Martin taken off the scoreboard late in the second quarter after being penalized for illegal motion. The drive ended with an interception.

West St. John was given several golden opportunities to score but for the most part failed to capitalize. The team finished with three turnovers, in addition to a blocked punt and nine penalties for a total of 65 yards.

“You can’t turn the ball over like that,” Valdez said. “It doesn’t matter — 1A, 5A or whatever — when you play, you have to take advantage of the opportunities you’re given. You’re always going to get opportunities, and you have to make them count.”

The Rams look to redeem the close road loss against another larger opponent next week, facing Class 2A St. Charles at 7 p.m. September 17 at home.