Braden River 2016 football preview
A hallmark of Braden River’s 2015 banner season was the Pirates’ defense and offensive line. The ball-hawking defense returned a lot, while the offensive line play that saw a punishing ground game and lots of protection for quarterback Jacob Huesman returns just one starter. To keep new QB Louis Colosimo, an IMG Academy transfer, upright as he takes over for Huesman, who is at Appalachian State, and to provide enough running room for the returning Raymond Thomas, who tore his ACL in Week 8 last year, and DeShaun Fenwick, the offensive line needs to gel.
“We’re going to face some good teams, so we’ve got to be ready to go out of the gate,” head coach Curt Bradley said. “Open some holes for our backs ... and keep our quarterback up is of huge importance for us.”
Aiding in that bonding is center Brendan Bengtsson, who is the lone returning starter on the O-Line off last year’s team that generated 169.3 rushing yards per game.
“We work together and we’re a family like last year,” Bengtsson said. “And we all stick together.”
Bradley said there are about seven guys fighting for those five starting line slots. Bengtsson figures as the starting center, while Leo Pita (left tackle), A.J. Kwiatkowski (right tackle), Brodee Neal (right guard) and Luke Andrews (left guard) could round out the rest. There’s also Austin Oberlin (guard/tackle) and Jake Chapman (center/guard) in the mix.
Whoever emerges, though, will need to provide the same type of season the 2015 group did for any potential success this fall.
DB to watch
Demetrius Lawson, Sr.: With Tyrone Collins, the Pirates boast arguably the best secondary in the area. Collins is piling up college offers that include Michigan and Missouri, while Lawson quietly churned out a terrific 2015. His seven-interception season led to offers from Tulane and Western Kentucky.
Impact newcomer
Knowledge McDaniel, Soph., LB/WR: He has immense athletic talent. McDaniel showcased that during the spring game against St. Petersburg Lakewood when he ran for 170 yards. With Raymond Thomas returning from a torn ACL and DeShaun Fenwick, head coach Curt Bradley is making sure he gets McDaniel on the field. So avoiding a crowded backfield, he’s getting a chance to flourish on defense at linebacker, while seeing some plays at wide receiver.
At a glance
Herald’s forecast: 9-1
Back-to-back unbeaten regular seasons and a playoff berth that ended with a run to the Class 7A state semifinals has Braden River booming as the new kids on the block. The under-the-radar label is gone, and the Pirates boast a formidable defense with playmakers on offense to earn a third consecutive playoff berth. The tradition-rich Venice Indians stand in their way for another district crown, and feature a solid core that could prove as the lone hiccup on Braden River's schedule.
Head coach: Curt Bradley
Career: fifth season, 29-15
About: He has two playoff appearances and a 4-2 postseason record.
Deep at: Skill
Thin at: Offensive line
2015 results
Bayshore W, 42-0 |
at Southeast W, 35-3 |
at Ida Baker W, 42-14 |
Lakewood Ranch W, 41-0 |
Leesburg W, 48-14 |
at North Port W, 42-7 |
Venice W, 30-20 |
Palmetto W, 35-0 |
at Sarasota W, 27-17 |
St. Petersburg Gibbs W, 41-6 |
CLASS 7A-REGION 3 |
Naples Gulf Coast W, 37-14 |
Venice W, 17-0 |
AT Plant City W, 17-7 |
CLASS 7A SEMIFINAL |
St. Thomas Aquinas L, 27-10 |
2016 schedule
Games start at 7:30 p.m.
* — Class 7A-District 11 game
Aug. 26 | at Bayshore |
Sept. 2 | Southeast |
Sept. 9 | Ida Baker |
Sept. 16 | at Lakewood Ranch* |
Sept. 23 | at Leesburg |
Sept. 30 | North Port* |
Oct. 14 | at Venice* |
Oct. 21 | at Palmetto* |
Oct. 28 | Sarasota* |
Nov. 4 | at St. Pete Gibbs |
This story was originally published August 25, 2016 at 5:09 PM with the headline "Braden River 2016 football preview."