FLORETTE – Brewer’s Patriots flexed their muscles running the ball and Priceville’s Bulldogs executed an effective aerial attack in a 48-28 shootout won by Brewer in a season-ending clash for both teams at James R. Tucker Stadium Friday night.
Brewer’s T.J. Graham and Taylor Bowling teamed up to account for more than 375 rushing yards and three touchdowns and Priceville’s Chance Ellsworth threw four touchdown passes, three of which went to Nic Bell.
Both teams struggled with turnovers. Brewer picked off four Priceville passes and recovered a fumble and Priceville recovered two fumbles and picked off a pass.
The Patriots finished the year with a 2-8 record. Priceville finished 0-10.
“It wasn’t pretty but it was a win and we’ll take it,” said Brewer head coach Daniel Gullion. “I thought our front played well and we got a lot of mileage from our running game. On the other hand, Priceville came on strong in the second half and made some big plays with their passing game.”
The Patriots scored three times in the second period and held a 21-0 edge at halftime. Graham gave the Patriots their first score on a 68-yard run to make the score 7-0 with 10:13 left in the first half. A 7-yard pass from Taylor Bowling to his twin brother, Jordan Bowling, came with 6:51 left in the second period. Eddy kicked the extra point to make the score 14-0. with 4:29 left in the same period, Taylor Bowling scored on a 9-yard run and Eddy added the extra point to make the score 21-0.
The Patriots upped their lead to 28-0 on a 5-yard touchdown run by Matt Crowe with 9:15 left in the third period. Eddy’s PAT made the score 28-0.
A Chance Ellsworth to Nic Bell pass that covered 18 yards accounted for Priceville’s first score. It came with 5:32 left in the third period and was followed by Bell’s extra point kick to make the score 28-7. Bell scored again with 2:55 left in the same period on a 58-yard pass from Ellsworth to make the score 28-14.
Shawn Ricketts’ 5-yard touchdown run and Eddy’s PAT conversion put Brewer up 35-14 with 9:42 left in the game.
The Bulldogs answered with a 47-yard touchdown pass from Ellsworth to James Schay with 9:20 left in the game. Bell kicked the extra point to make the core 35-21.
Graham scored on a 58-yard run with 9:00 left in the game for a 41-21 lead.
The Bulldogs scored their final touchdown with 3:38 left in the game on a 47-yard pass from Ellsworth to Schay.
Brewer’s final touchdown came with 3:13 left on a 60-yard run by Taylor Bowling.