Michael Easter punts the football to Boaz. | Benjamin Maxwell

Benjamin Maxwell
Special to the Enquirer

FLORETTE – The Arab Knights (3-1) shutout the Brewer Patriots (0-4) on the Patriots own turf 38-0 on Friday night. The Patriots were unable to recover from giving up a total of seven turnovers; three of which led to Arab points.

“Tonight was the first time in three weeks we really went backward,” head coach Dan Styles said.

“We have some kids that are still playing hard, but they’re not playing right. We have kids that are going to have to respond in a way they have not responded before in this situation. This is a familiar place for them.”

Arab came out strong in the game with senior Timothy Rush taking the opening kickoff to Arab’s 34-yard line. Just as Arab seemed to hit an early stride with junior Easton Anderson totaling 64 rushing yards on the following two plays; it was the Knights who made the first mistake. Anderson fumbled on the following play with Brewer recovering on its own 40-yard line.

Brewer flexed its running attack on the ensuing drive with Nicholas Humphries carrying for 30 yards on the first offensive play for the Patriots. However, Brewer made its first mistake on the following play when quarterback Brendon Deberry fumbled on the Knights’ 12-yard line.

The Brewer defense continued to stand strong through the first turnover. With under a minute remaining in the first quarter, Arab claimed its first touchdown when senior quarterback William Morgan connected with fellow senior Christopher Mann for a 25-yard touchdown pass. Jason Willard’s point after attempt was good giving Arab a 7-0 lead heading into the second quarter.

Arab’s special teams did all it could to keep Brewer under wraps as Willard sent five out of six of his kickoffs into the back of the end zone preventing a Brewer return.

The second quarter belonged to the Knights’ offense. Arab quarterback William Morgan rushed for a three-yard touchdown and connected to Easton Anderson again for two more touchdowns giving Arab a 21-0 lead.

Despite turnovers, Brewer continued to play through adversity. With a minute remaining in the first half, Arab’s Brian Fields stripped the ball from Brewer running back Devon Green.

As he turned to return the ball, Brewer’s Robert Crowe met Fields, taking the ball back and gaining a first down. However, Brewer fumbled again on the following play giving Arab a start on Brewer’s 31-yard line. With eight seconds remaining, Arab set up for a 42-yard field goal. The Willard kick sailed through the uprights to send the Patriots into the locker room trailing 24-0.

Interceptions plagued the Patriots in the second half. Brewer’s young quarterback Brendon Deberry gave up two pick-six’s to Arab’s Timothy Rush and Lucas Smith giving the Knights a 38-0 lead.

A combination of defense and clock draining offense kept Brewer from answering back in the final quarter leaving Arab with a 38-0 final victory.

“Turnovers just boil down to a lack of focus,” said Styles.

“We still have a lot of youth out there. We do small things right, we just have to go back to work and simplify and rep. There are a lot of places we have to start back at square one after tonight, and it’ll be a gut check for some of them.”

Brewer head coach Dan Styles now looks to get his Patriots back on track as they prepare to travel to Vinemont (3-1) on the road on Sept. 28.

“There’s no magic speech to give them right now, except that we are going back to work. I refuse to change the process we are going through. Some of the kids are going to have to adhere and if they don’t adhere it’s on them. We are doing the right things, we just have to focus, work hard and have a decent week of practice.”