Braden River runs away from rival Lakewood Ranch
As homecoming week wound down for Braden River, the celebrations looked like they had just begun Friday as an energetic offense took the field of their home turf against Lakewood Ranch.
The Pirates (4-1, 3-1) overran their Class 7A-District 11 rival Mustangs (3-3, 1-3) throughout all four quarters of play, tabbing a 55-7 spread with a defense that kept Lakewood Ranch advancements to the red zone at a minimum. With a major victory over a program that looked to be a dark horse at the beginning of the season, the win puts Braden River even further on the road to a district title and playoff contention.
But while the distractions of homecoming festivities were in full swing at the campus just a few miles down the road on State Road 70, Pirates head coach Curt Bradley was telling his players to keep their eyes on very real postseason prize potential.
“It’s us against us every single week — that’s with whoever we’re playing,” Bradley said. “We probably had our best week of practice and probably best performance of the season tonight.”
The first drive for the Pirates went smoothly, with junior quarterback Bryan Gagg passing early on. South Carolina commit Deshaun Fenwick put the first points on the board for Braden River. A connection with junior wide receiver Knowledge McDaniel, who also has D-I interest, kept the momentum going to get a solid score gap rolling throughout the first half.
Gagg and the receiving corps had synergy throughout the night, with the quarterback putting up 286 yards in two quarters alone.
“The offensive line was protecting our butts off, and everyone was just clicking and on the same page,” Gagg said. “This win is just another step in the road … it’s on us and we control our own destiny from here on out.”
Lakewood Ranch quarterback Justin Curtis managed to answer with one touchdown on the night, scrambling around a Pirates defense that repeatedly pierced through the line. Senior Chase Sharp made a 1-yard run to the house in one of a handful of red zone appearances for the Mustangs.
With one game left in district play, Braden River moves on to face North Port at home Oct. 27. Lakewood Ranch goes on to play Sarasota High.
Next week’s schedule
All games Friday night
Bayshore at Englewood Lemon Bay, 7 p.m.
North Port at Braden River, 7:30 p.m.
Cardinal Mooney at Clearwater Central Catholic, 7 p.m.
Hollywood West Park Prep at IMG White, 7 p.m.
Sarasota at Lakewood Ranch, 7:30 p.m.
Palmetto at Venice, 7:30 p.m.
Southeast at Sarasota Booker, 7:30 p.m.
This story was originally published October 20, 2017 at 11:20 PM with the headline "Braden River runs away from rival Lakewood Ranch."