After getting shut out in their season opener against Millington, the Brandon varsity football team decided to return the favor.
The LakeVille Falcons were the recipient of a whitewash at the hands of the visiting Blackhawks, as Brandon earned a 36-0 win in a Sept. 1 game. The Blackhawks are now 1-1 on the season.
‘We blocked better and executed better,? Brandon coach Ron Gill said.
Brandon dominated on both sides of the ball, compiling 286 total yards to LakeVille’s 45. The Blackhawks earned 18 first downs, compared to four for LakeVille.
The Blackhawks shared the wealth on offense, with five different players scoring touchdowns. After a scoreless first quarter, the Blackhawks scored 14 points in the second quarter and 15 in the third to take command of the game.
Senior quarterback Sean Montgomery completed 6-of-12 passes for 69 yards, with three touchdown passes and one interception. Junior Craig Mahaffy, senior Nick Toreli, and junior Josh Collier each were on the receiving end of Montgomery’s scoring strikes.
Gill said it has taken some time for Montgomery to get into the flow of the offense, since he missed the majority of last season due to injury.
‘After Josh Tolan had shoulder surgery this year, the job fell to Sean,? he said. ‘I think he’s maturing and growing in confidence. He’s getting experience and getting better. He came along in the second game.?
Mahaffy led the Blackhawks with two catches for 12 yards.
Senior Darryl Goodrich proved to be a workhorse on the ground for the Blackhawks, earning 156 yards on 18 carries while scoring a touchdown. Junior Josh Ellett scored the Blackhawks? other rushing touchdown.
Senior Marcus Pesavento and junior Josh Polasek keyed the Blachkawks? defense, with Pesavento compiling 13 tackles (eight solo and five assisted) and Polasek 12 tackles (five solo, seven assisted).
Toreli and senior Ryan Smith each picked off a LakeVille pass, while junior Ryan Claycomb earned a quarterback sack.
Gill said the Blackhawks? front five of Pesavento, Goodrich, Claycomb, Ellett and David Dew set the tone for the rest of the Brandon defense.
‘Those guys are what makes the defense click,? he said. ‘They’re doing a tremendous job.?
After a scheduled Sept. 9 game at Lapeer East, the Blackhawks return home Sept. 16 to take on Linden.
The Eagles went 7-3 overall and 4-2 in the Flint Metro League last season, placing them in a tie for second in league play. Linden lost to league rival Lapeer East 24-16 in first-round playoff action last year.
Linden is off to a solid start this year, compiling a 2-0 record. Their most recent win came Sept. 2, when the Eagles defeated Montrose 12-7.
The Eagles have had the Blackhawks? number in recent seasons, winning the three most recent matchups between the two teams.
Last year, the Blackhawks put up a good fight, but ultimately fell 32-20 in a Sept. 17 game at Linden.
The matchups in 2002-03 were a little more lopsided in Linden’s favor, with the Eagles winning 34-6 in 2003 and 41-0 in 2002.
Before the Lapeer East game, Gill said the Blackhawks will have their hands full with the Eagles.
‘It’s going to be a tough game,? he said. ‘They’re the defending league champions. We have to guard against turnovers, and our execution will have to improve even more. We’ll have to play our best game of the season.?