SARASOTA — Tevin Bryant fought through the pain with a barreling run that sealed Braden River’s victory Friday night.

The senior running back’s 4-yard touchdown gave the Pirates a 22-13 victory at Sarasota.

And it came while Bryant battled knee and ankle injuries.

The knee injury came after the 219-pounder reeled off of his longest run of the night — a 20-yarder — down the right sideline to open up the second quarter.

Bryant was hit out of bounds and crashed into the Pirates empty bench.

into the Pirates’ empty bench.

“I tried to act like it was nothing, but it hurt bad so I’m going to have to get it checked out,” he said.

The Sailors were assessed a 15-yard penalty.

Braden River (2-1) opened the game quick, taking advantage of Sarasota errors.

The Pirates recovered an onside kick to begin the contest.

“We were watching the film and they line up 15 yards deep, so you have to be crazy not to kick it onside,” Pirates coach Ed Volz said. “They’re lined up at the 45-yard line and not the 50, so I told coaches if they do that we’re kicking onside the first play.”

Then after their first drive stalled, Braden River recovered a fumbled punt and Ryan Fischer hooked up with Sharrod Neasman for a 10-yard score.

Sarasota’s subsequent possession ended with a muffed punt that sailed over Sean Hurley’s head. He recovered in the end zone for a safety.

The Pirates cashed in again as the Sailors turned the ball over, allowing Keith Grafton to return a fumble for a 2-yard touchdown.

Braden River 15, Sarasota 0.

The Sailors ran six plays during the 8:24 span.

Special teams and defense came up big late after the Sailors trimmed the Pirates lead to two points.

Joseph Meador set up Bryant’s score with a fumble recovery midway through the third quarter.

Another Sailor fumble gave the Pirates the ball in the red zone, and although they were unable to capitalize, the game was put out of reach as Sarasota went past midfield once the rest of the game.

“It’s respect from them and other teams,” Fischer said about what it meant to beat a Class 5A Sarasota squad.

Braden River plays in Class 3A.

Fischer got the nod under center because his older brother, Stephen, was out sick.

“I didn’t find out myself, until probably 2:15 this afternoon that Stephen went home with the flu,” Volz said.