Week Off Gave Pirates Chance to Recharge

After falling to Countryside in the season opener 35-17, Boca Ciega High School had a bye week for the second week of the season.

It was an unusually early bye week. Most coaches prefer a bye week to come later in the season when a team often dearly needs a week off to recover from the many bumps and bruises accumulated through a football season.

But Antez Brinson didn't feel that way. The Pirates coach was happy with the timing of the bye week.

"It came at the right time," Brinson said prior to Friday's game against Northeast.

Judging by the score of Boca Ciega's 48-3 win over Northeast Friday night, Brinson was right on the mark.

Little did anyone at the game realize, it was virtually over before the game started. Elijah McClendon's scoop and score of a 70-yard fumble return early in the game proved to be the difference as the Pirates stingy defense kept Northeast out of the end zone the entire night.

The fumble recovery was just one of McClendon's two defensive touchdowns. He also returned an interception 30 yards in the opening quarter for a touchdown.

Pirates quarterback Bobby Runcie later threw for three touchdowns in the second quarter.

Listening to Brinson prior to the game, the bye week may very well have worked wonders.

"We needed to sit back and refocus," Brinson said. "I think the week off came at an opportune time."

The Pirates have been working hard since Brinson was hired early this year. Working hard in spring practice. Working hard in the weight room. Working hard in conditioning through the summer. Working hard in preseason practices.

So the break may very well have been perfect timing for Boca Ciega.

"It gave us a chance to give some guys a rest and give those who normally wouldn't get it, some reps," Brinson said. "Those guys had an opportunity to get quite a bit of reps over the last week."

"As a whole, it has really benefited us."

Boca Ciega fans could tell from the score of Friday night's game.