Braden River High football pounds New Port Richey River Ridge with running game

DeShaun Fenwick’s sophomore season showcased his bruising, physical running style.

That wasn’t good enough for Fenwick, who arrived at Braden River High following a freshman season at Moore High School in Louisville, Ky. So Fenwick dedicated himself to the weight room in the offseason for the first time in his football career.

On Friday, Fenwick delivered a highlight-reel run on his final carry during the Pirates’ 38-10 victory over visiting New Port Richey River Ridge.

“I had two-a-days,” said Fenwick about his offseason training program. “Lifting at 8 o’clock in the morning and then conditioning at 10. And then I did 7-on-7 and conditioning about 11-11:30. Then after that at about 3, I worked out with a personal trainer (at Sarasota’s X-Factor Academy).”

The preseason Kickoff Classic saw Braden River head coach Curt Bradley utilize several running backs and interchange different players across the field to gain more experience.

“We try to base it on a true NFL preseason game, where you know Raymond Thomas can play and Deqwunn McCobb can play and Demetrius Lawson and Tyrone Collins. We know those guys can play, so we don’t need to risk injury in the first game that at the end of the year doesn’t really mean anything.”

The opening kickoff didn’t go as planned with senior kicker Tyler McCauley, who replaces last year’s senior starter Kyle Thoma, tripped and dribbled the ball forward. However, Devontay Seabrooks wrestled the loose ball away from River Ridge players for an onside kick recovery.

From there, it was all Braden River. The Pirates went eight plays in 2 minutes, 53 seconds for the opening score: a 1-yard touchdown pass from Louis Colosimo to Craivon Koonce. Colosimo, an IMG Academy transfer, looked sharp. He went 7-for-7 in the passing game, while delivering a 39-yard touchdown run in first-half action before exiting for sophomore Jake Hepler in the final two quarters.

Meanwhile, the Pirates’ running game that was a trademark in 2015 picked up steam again in the spring and with Friday’s blowout victory.

Fenwick only carried the rock six times, but amassed 59 yards that included his 32-yard touchdown run with 5:12 remaining in the first quarter. The 6-foot-2, 203-pound tailback spun off would-be tacklers and juked a couple more en route to pay dirt.

“The O-Line had a really good block,” Fenwick said. “I saw Tyler Coker turn his man inside, so I cut inside and there was a man to my right. And he wasn’t too aggressive, kind of spun off him and saw daylight. So I just tried to accelerate.”

Knowledge McDaniel, who plays the athlete role at Braden River as a linebacker/wide receiver/running back, received reps in the backfield, too. And he also showcased his speed with a 68-yard touchdown run at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

The touchdown run stretched Braden River’s lead to 31-10.

“I saw the hole and there was a linebacker, but then he left so all I saw was green,” McDaniel said.

Senior running back Cam White also broke a big touchdown run, covering 50 yards on the very next offensive play for the Pirates.

Senior defensive tackle Zach Brown, who returned from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, suffered a knock on his non-surgically repaired knee. He did not return to action and needed ice, but Bradley said he’s fine.

The Pirates open the regular season next week on the road at Bayshore.

This story was originally published August 19, 2016 at 10:53 PM with the headline "Braden River High football pounds New Port Richey River Ridge with running game."