Blackhawks one win from state playoff berth

It’s been 11 years since the Brandon Blackhawks varsity football team made post season play.

Soon that may change.

With an impressive 5-2 record, the Blackhawks need to win just one of their next two home games’against Linden (4-3) or Holly (5-2) to qualify for the state playoffs.

“We’re excited,” said Blackhawks Head Coach Tim Pizzala. “We need to come out in the next two games with the same intensity as we did against Swartz Creek last week.”

The Blackhawks hammered the Swartz Creek Dragons on the road 35-7.

“We need to gets this done in the first week,” added Pizzala, now in his fifth season. “There’s also a Flint Metro League Championship on the line, too. That would be a first for the Blackhawks.”

After back-to-back 3-6 seasons in 2008 and 2009, the Blackhawks fell just one game short of making the playoffs in 2010, finishing with a 5-4 record.

“The key to this year’we have no superstar. It’s that simple. We’re not a one-dimensional team. It’s back-to-back winning seasons.”

The Blackhawks have outscored the opposition 159-95 in seven games this season.

“The defense has been a factor this season,” said Pizzala. “Solid defensive play gets the ball back to the offense, who keep making big plays. It’s a great team.”