It took a team effort, but Brandon is still alive and well in its quest for a winning season and a possible trip to the state playoffs.
The Blackhawks won a high-scoring matchup against visiting Fenton in an Oct. 14 Flint Metro League game, defeating the Tigers 49-37. Brandon improved to 4-4 overall and 3-3 in the league, while Fenton fell to 1-7.
Brandon coach Ron Gill said the reason for the Blackhawks? offensive success started with the offensive line. ‘They really had a tremendous game,? he said.
Gill also said center Matt Porter has stepped up and excelled when the Blackhawks? offense goes into the shotgun formation, which Gill said the Blackhawks use about 20-25 plays per game.
‘He’s done a fantastic job, as have all our offensive linemen,? he said.
By contrast, Gill said the Brandon defense did not have a good week of practice leading up to the Fenton game, and it showed, particularly in the first half.
‘We have to outwork our opponents Monday through Friday, and we didn’t do that,? he said. ‘After halftime, they clamped down and played better.?
The two teams set the stage for the offensive fireworks in the first quarter, as Brandon scored two touchdowns and Fenton tallied three touchdowns. However, the Tigers missed all three of their extra-point attempts, so they only led by four points, 18-14, at the end of the period.
Brandon’s two touchdowns in the first quarter came on a 12-yard run by Zach LaFlamme and a 48-yard pass from Sean Montgomery to Nick Toreli. Jacob Hardy converted both extra-point attempts for the Blackhawks.
The Blackhawks took a 21-18 lead in the second quarter when Josh Ellett scored on a five-yard touchdown run. However, the Tigers scored a touchdown to reclaim the lead 24-21 later in the quarter.
Brandon would answer once more before the half, as Darryl Goodrich scored on a five-yard touchdown run to put the Blackhawks up 28-24 at halftime.
In the third quarter, the Blackhawks? defense stepped up to the plate, as Phil Sache intercepted a Fenton pass and returned it for a touchdown to put Brandon up 35-24.
Later in the period, the Montgomery-to-Toreli connection paid off once again for the Blackhawks, as the two connected on a nine-yard touchdown pass to give the Blackhawks a 42-24 lead at the end of the third.
The Blackhawks added to their lead in the fourth quarter on a one-yard touchdown run by Anthony Schmidt, putting Brandon up 49-24. Although the Tigers would mount a last-ditch comeback in the fourth, scoring 13 points, it was not enough to overtake the Blackhawks.
Montgomery proved to be a double threat for the Blackhawks, compiling 158 yards passing and 55 yards rushing. Toreli caught four passes for 107 yards and two touchdowns, while Sache led the charge on defense with 11 tackles and two interceptions, including the one returned for a touchdown.
Brandon was scheduled to take on visiting Clio Friday, Oct. 21 in its final regular season game of the season.
In its first year in the Flint Metro League, the Mustangs are 0-8 overall and 0-6 in the league after a 53-18 loss to Holly on Oct. 14.
Gill said the Blackhawks have to guard against taking the Mustangs lightly. However, since Brandon is still in contention for a playoff spot, and since this will be the last home game for the seniors, he believes the team will be ready to play.
‘It’s always a concern, just like the week before against Fenton,? he said ‘No matter who we play, we have to practice hard, and we’ll have to outwork them this week.?