By Staff
Lindsay Vaught, Enquirer Correspondent
FLORETTE – If there were an award for moral victories, Brewer would qualify after their valiant effort before a large homecoming crowd last Friday night. The outcome however was painfully familiar as Brewer fell to Bradshaw 54-20. The loss drops Brewer to 0-4 while Bradshaw goes to 2-2 and is in good shape in the region at 2-1.
Despite fumbling the ball away on their first possession, Brewer led after one quarter 14-13. The fumble by quarterback Sam Mason led to a 16-yard touchdown run by Daniel Jackson. Jackson was All-State as a sophomore last year and is one of the top running backs in the state. He gained 157 yards on 12 carries with 3 touchdowns. It took multiple Brewer defenders to bring him down every time he touched the ball.
Doug Webster brought the crowd to its feet with a 90-yard touchdown return of the ensuing kickoff to get Brewer back in the game. Jackson's 18-yard touchdown run put the Bruins back on top but the extra point try was botched.
The Brewer offense got on track as Travis Boyd took over at quarterback and hooked up with Mason on pass plays of 12 and 36 yards. Josh Cavendar went in from the two to cap a 67-yard drive and Blade Crawford added the extra point to put Brewer ahead for the first time this season.
The game quickly went downhill for Brewer from that point on. Injuries felled two key performers. First, receiver Markus Greenleaf broke a bone in his foot while coming down after catching a pass. Later, Sam Mason suffered a twisted knee with possible MCL tear. Mason is expected back in two weeks Greenleaf in out indefinitely.
Bradshaw turned a Travis Boyd interception into points when big fullback Jonathon Perkins went 16 yards untouched around the left side. Despite the interception Boyd had an outstanding night passing by completing 15 of 28 passes for 276 yards.
Jackson, who ran for 313 yards last year against Brewer, added another score on a 13-yard run to give Bradshaw a comfortable 28-14 halftime lead.
Boyd said that he is ready to take over the offense despite losing his top two receivers. "I'm ready, I hate it that Sam went down. He can catch the ball and makes a lot of things happen. We had a bunch of guys step up tonight, like Region and Pugh. That's what they are going to have to do," said Boyd.
Bradshaw continued the assault in the third period as Quarterback Daniel Beckwith scored on a 4-yard run. A Brewer quick kick backfired when Courtney Moore caught it and ran it back 80 yards for a touchdown. Travis Boyd hit tight end Jameson Pugh for 13 and 22 yards but the drive stalled when Boyd was stopped on fourth down.
In the fourth period Christian Region got the Patriots back on the board with a juggling 28-yard touchdown reception from Boyd.
The effort was there said Coach Peppers. "We're competing better now, getting better effort in places than we were before. It's hurting us now to lose more than earlier this season. Travis came in and did a great job. He's a great athlete and plays wherever we need him. And the offensive line has shown improvement."
On defense Joseph Burton had 13 tackles and is fully recovered from an ankle sprain suffered in the first game. Now playing only defense he brings some pop to the linebacker position.