Freshman Emerges in Braden River Win

Final score: Braden River 17, Booker 6

Recap: Both teams had difficulty holding onto the football early in Friday night’s Kickoff Classic at Booker’s Tornado Alley. The visiting Pirates saw each of their first two series end in fumbles, while the Tornadoes fumbled away their first series and saw two drives into Braden River territory squandered before losing the ball on a botched punt snap with 4.6 seconds left in the first quarter. Taking over at the Booker 18, Braden River almost let a scoring opportunity evaporate. However, senior quarterback Steven Ross rolled right and zipped the ball past two Booker defenders into the end zone to his brother, Justin, for a 24-yard touchdown on a fourth-and-goal play. The younger Ross, who is a freshman, later set up a 28-yard field goal by Michael Unzicher with an interception return to the Booker 9.

Braden River senior Ryan Fischer opened up the third quarter with a 30-yard run, which ignited a 58-yard touchdown drive that was capped by Fischer’s 7-yard run. After failing to score points on a 10-play drive, the Tornadoes used their second successful fake punt of the game to extend a drive early in the fourth quarter. Junior Michael Jones enabled his team to avoid a shutout by completing a 15-play, 78-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run. Booker wide receiver Ricky Jones dropped a long pass down the sideline with 1:59 left. The play epitomized the Tornadoes’ passing struggles throughout the night.

Key play: Justin Ross’ 24-yard touchdown reception from his brother, Steven, accounted for the game’s first points and had a calming effect on the Pirates.

Star of the game: Ross had the best debut of any freshman skill player in the short history of the Braden River program.

Quotables: “We saw some big improvements (from a 7-0 loss to St. Petersburg Admiral Farragut in the Spring Classic), but we know that we have a long way to go. I’m happy we had this before next week.”  — Braden River head coach Don Purvis.

“There’s a lot of pressure on these young people. There’s a lot of history, and they’re trying to turn it around from the last (three) years (without a playoff appearance). We just have to remind them that this is 2011 and not to worry about the ’09 and the ’10 (seasons).”  — Booker head coach Fred Gilmore.

Up next: Braden River hosts archrival Lakewood Ranch next Friday. The first Friday of September also features a non-district game between visiting Sarasota and Booker.