Football
Elon draws on big-game experience against Duke
Sep 04, 06:52 AM
By Adam Smith, Times-News, Burlington, N.C.
Sept. 04--ELON -- Brandon Ward figures a few meaningful pre-game chats with his football teammates could help Elon University announce its presence in an assertive way tonight at Duke.
As a veteran of Elon's previous games against higher-level Football Bowl Subdivision opponents, the defensive end believes there's a simplified approach to combating these typically complex challenges.
His message: Keep it loose.
"What we've got to do is play like it's Furman, play like it's Chattanooga, play like it's Georgia Southern," Ward said, rattling off some of Elon's fellow Southern Conference members. "That's what I'm going to try to nail into the players' heads.
"You go into a stadium like we're going to go into and you see all the people, it's definitely hard to say it's just another game. You get excited and then you come out and play tight."
Consider that sort of circumstance a lesson learned for the Phoenix, which tonight takes on a team from the top tier of Division I for the third time in the school's modern era.
Elon's prior steps up in competition to the FBS level happened during the last three years.
Pair those with another recent collection of significant clashes -- last November's debut in the Football Championship playoffs at Richmond, plus two league-title showdowns with Appalachian State -- and Elon's upperclassmen have a bank of big moments to draw on.
What's more, all of those experiences carry a common denominator.
Each of them ended in losses for the Phoenix.
"I think we've proven ourselves to be one of those teams that can hold their own," receiver Sean Jeffcoat said. "We just haven't won one yet. We've proven that we can play in them and we can be right here, but we haven't gotten over that hump."
In the 2007 opener at South Florida, Elon's first venture against an FBS opponent, Jeffcoat was an 18-year-old true freshman who caught a pass of 5 yards from another 18-year-old true freshman, quarterback Scott Riddle.
The rangy Ward, who now weighs 232 but then was 30 pounds lighter, contributed three tackles. Brandon Newsome rushed for 11 yards. Lance Camp, a receiver, completed a pass on a trick play. Brandon Wiggins recovered a fumbled punt. John Rubertone started on the offensive line.
Those players have since evolved into Elon's core of senior leaders entering tonight's season opener.
"If you truly are a veteran," Elon coach Pete Lembo said, "those experiences should compound on top of each other to where there are no surprises anymore."
Three years later, Lembo practically shudders at the reminder of the early chances that went awry at South Florida.
Elon coughed up two first-half turnovers inside the South Florida 18-yard line, had a field goal attempt blocked and instead of perhaps leading, trailed 7-3 at halftime. The Bulls eventually won 28-13.
"I still have nightmares about the South Florida game," Lembo said. "Well, maybe not so much nightmares, but I'm still amazed that we had as many opportunities as we did have.
"Everybody looks at that final score and says, 'You were coming off a 5-6 season, you played them really well.' And I still look at it like we blew opportunities. You have to make some plays early on to remind yourself that you belong there. It's absolutely critical."
So for Elon, seizing any sliver of an opening becomes magnified against FBS teams such as Duke.
And that concept was reinforced last September at Wake Forest. A potential first-half scoring drive fizzled with Jeffcoat and Camp dropping what seemed to be sure completions.
Later, Elon's defense delivered a punishing hit that forced a fumble. But the ball bounced directly into the grasp of Wake Forest's Josh Adams, who rumbled a yard shy of Elon's end zone and set up another touchdown in the Demon Deacons' 35-7 victory.
"We got a little bit outside of ourselves last year againstWake. I know I did," Jeffcoat said. "This year I think if we just stay calm and do exactly what we're coached to do, we can have a chance of winning the Duke game.
"Yeah, we're going to mess up. But they're college players, too. They're going to mess up, too. We've just got to capitalize on the mistakes that they have and do our thing."
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Gibbs, Ventura easily pass the opening test
Sep 04, 06:42 AM
By Bob Buttitta, Ventura County Star, Calif.
Sept. 04--Having a senior quarterback like Keihan Gibbs figures to make Ventura High coach Brad Steward's job a little less stressful this season.
Now in his third year as the Cougars' starting signal caller, Gibbs was in total control of his game and the Ventura (1-0) offense in Friday night's opener against Pacifica (0-1), leading his team to a 40-10 victory.
Gibbs threw four touchdown passes, three in the first half, providing his team with the spark it needed to get its season off to a positive start.
After missing his first attempt of the game, Gibbs put on a clinic, completing 10 of his next 11 passes, including scoring strikes of 9 and 50 yards.
"He's really coming into his own as a leader and a quarterback," Steward said. "He's out there directing the troops and getting guys into position.
"Even when he made the bad mistake early (an interception), he didn't let it bother him. He really played well."
Two of Gibbs' touchdown passes went to junior wide receiver Nick Rudolph, who was playing in his first high school football game.
Rudolph, who also stars on the Ventura basketball team, caught five passes for 117 yards, giving him a 23.5 yards per catch average.
"He played a great first game," Gibbs said of his new target. "He's still learning and we're working to get on the same page, but he's a great athlete who adds a lot to our team."
The game actually didn't start that well for Ventura as the Cougars fumbled away the opening kickoff on their own 27. The Tritons moved the ball to the Cougars 6 before their drive stalled, forcing them to settle for a 22-yard field goal from Luis Preciado.
Once the Ventura offense got on the field, it made things happen. Starting at his own 35, Gibbs engineered the first scoring drive of the season, capping an eight-play drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Kaybrum Evans.
A few minutes later, Gibbs hit Randolph with a 50-yard scoring strike, giving Ventura a 13-3 lead.
The next time Ventura got the ball, Gibbs made a poor throw that resulted in an interception.
Tritons sophomore quarterback Nick Davis made sure his team took advantage of the break, as he connected with Eric Garcia for a 22-yard touchdown play.
"They are bigger and faster and we made more mistakes, but I was proud of how hard our kids played," Pacifica coach Donnie Rea said.
Connor Armstrong had a nice night running the ball for Ventura, going for 124 yards and a touchdown.
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Thousand Oaks' fast start too much for Hueneme
Sep 04, 06:42 AM
By Loren Ledin, Ventura County Star, Calif.
Sept. 04--Maybe one non-league game is enough for the Thousand Oaks High football team.
With its season opener doubling as the lone tuneup for the start of Marmonte League play in two weeks, Thousand Oaks looked primed and ready Friday night.
Rickey Minyard rushed for 137 yards and three touchdowns, Avondre Bollar completed 7 of 8 pass attempts for 108 yards and two touchdowns and the Lancers scored TDs on their first five possessions en route to a 51-14 victory over Hueneme at Thousand Oaks High.
Thousand Oaks opened the first half by marching on touchdown drives of 54, 67, 12, 35 and 34 yards, and tacked on a 31-yard field goal by Jamie Sutcliffe to build a 37-0 lead at halftime.
The Lancers seemed buoyed by the fast start.
"I've never played on a team that has come together so quickly and where the chemistry is so strong," said Minyard, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound senior. "We did exactly what we needed to do in our first game. I was very impressed with the offensive line. The defense played great. I think we're all happy with how we played tonight."
Thousand Oaks coach Mike Leibin heartily agreed.
"We came out with a lot of energy and were able to sustain it," Leibin said. "The most important thing for me is that we played with great tempo and great rhythm. We were able to seize every opportunity and didn't back off. Even when we had some penalties, we still kept our drives on track."
Minyard's sharp outing included scoring runs of 11, 1 and 35 yards. He carried 11 times before ending his night in the first half. Bollar and ace wide receiver Richard Mullaney (five catches for 86 yards and TDs of 33 and 2 yards) also played exclusively in the first half.
Step 2 for Thousand Oaks is slated to be a doozy. The Lancers will take on defending league and Northern Division champion Westlake in the Marmonte League opener Sept. 16.
"I'm ready," said Bollar, the Lancers senior quarterback. "I think we're all ready to go. One of the strengths on this team is unity. We've been together since May and I've yet to see one argument or one fight among anybody on this team. We even agreed on the team colors tonight. We all wanted to come out in all green."
For Hueneme, the evening wasn't a total downer.
After a first half that featured one first down, 5 yards total offense and five punts, the Vikings rallied for two touchdowns in the second half.
Quarterback Jonathan Barnfather was 3 of 8 in the first half for 2 yards and was sacked on three consecutive plays. By game's end, he was a respectable 13 of 23 for 128 and TD passes of 12 and 4 yards.
"It's just one game," Barnfather said. "We've got nine more to go and the most important thing is how we do in league. We felt much better in the second half. When we get the blocking and have time, we're going to score points."
On his very first carry in the first half, Minyard slashed and dashed his way to a 21-yard gain. Three plays later, he powered left for an 11-yard touchdown run and a 7-0 lead.
The tone was set.
Bollar's 23-yard scramble on third and 22 highlighted a 10-play, 67-yard scoring march on the Lancers' second possession.
Already leading 20-0, Minyard snapped off a 35-yard scoring run on first down to finish off a one-play scoring drive. The next series required just two plays to cover 34 yards, with 33 yards coming on Bollar's scoring pass to Mullaney.
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Dazzling debut
Sep 04, 06:30 AM
By Greg Lee, The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
Sept. 04--Get used to this name: Ben Goodwin.
It may not be as familiar as the record-setting quarterback before him -- Connor Halliday -- but the Ferris junior should make a name for himself in time.
Goodwin had Halliday-like numbers, completing 16 of 20 passes for 254 yards and four touchdowns as the visiting Saxons pulled away from the University Titans 34-7 in a Greater Spokane League and season opener for both teams Friday.
"Well, what matters is we make a name for the Ferris Saxons," said Goodwin, who is listed generously on the roster at 5-foot-9 but is more like 5-6. "We want to be able to keep that tradition going that we've had the last couple of years. It doesn't matter if I have five touchdowns or zero as long as we get the (win). That's all that matters."
Goodwin found room to negotiate in the pocket and on roll-outs. His favorite target was Riley Stockton, who caught six passes for 141 yards and two TDs.
And the number Ferris coach Jim Sharkey will most likely be pleased with the most is zero -- Goodwin threw no interceptions.
"It's funny, because we'll probably break it (the video) down and say, 'He made mistakes here and there,' but he's such a composed kid for a first start," Sharkey said. "That's unbelievable for a first start. We'll take that every week. He didn't turn the ball over and he ran the team. He was everything we'd hoped. He didn't try to do too much. He'll keep getting better. He works hard. He will make a name for himself."
The significant difference was Ferris made no turnovers and the Titans had two turnovers and some costly mental mistakes.
Ferris took advantage of an interception in the first quarter for its first TD -- an 8-yard pass from Goodwin to Stockton.
Then in the second period, a low Ferris punt that was floating end over end hit a Titan, who had retreated to block for the returner, in the back, and the Saxons recovered at U-Hi's 33-yard line.
Five plays later, running back Kole Heidinger scored from 9 yards out. Ferris took a 14-0 lead into halftime.
The Titans pulled within 14-7 early in the third quarter when they took advantage of the Saxons' biggest mistake. A ball was snapped well over the head of Ferris punter Tanner Gerety. Instead of taking his time and trying to get some sort of kick off, Gerety stumbled and was tackled at the Saxons' 4.
Jory Zettle pulled U-Hi within a TD on the next play.
Ferris made U-Hi pay for its next mistake. Titans punter Thomas Wasem was tackled 2 yards shy of a first down when U-Hi went for it on fourth down at its 34.
Three plays later, Goodwin hit Beau Bozett on a 22-yard fade in the end zone, extending the Saxons' lead to 21-7.
Ferris added two more TDs.
"It's a first game," Sharkey said. "There's stuff both teams will have to work on. I think they're a quality team. We'll both get better next week. I was really pleased with our ball security and I was especially pleased with our defense. They have a pretty good offensive line and I thought our front seven did a great job on defense."
Gonzaga Prep 45, Shadle Park 21: Bishop Sankey needed just one game to break the Bullpups' career rushing record.
With starting quarterback Shane Schmidlkofer out after suffering an injury in the first half, G-Prep snapped the ball to Sankey in shotgun formation and he did the rest. The senior rushed for 235 yards on 23 carries and scored four touchdowns in the game at G-Prep.
Sankey needed just 212 to break the school record held by Justin Strand (2,197). Sankey's career mark is 2,221.
He scored on runs of 41, 3, 11 and 3. The Bullpups finished with 366 on 40 carries.
The Bullpups scored the game's first four TDs before Shadle Park scored. G-Prep led 38-7 at halftime.
The game marked the debut of coach Alan Stanfield at Shadle.
Running back Danny Rowton led the Highlanders with 113 yards on 18 carries including a TD.
Mead 34, North Central 7: The Panthers cruised to a 24-0 lead by halftime and didn't look back in the opener at Joe Albi Stadium.
Quarterback Andy Wetzel led Mead, completing 12 of 23 passes for 154 yards and two TDs.
The Indians scored their lone TD in the fourth quarter on a 12-yard run by quarterback Zac Hill. He completed 15 of 20 passes for 170 yards to account for most of NC's offense.
Running back Forest Cuthbert added 70 yards on nine carries.
Lewis and Clark 37, Rogers 0: Tigers quarterback Jeff Livingston threw three TD passes and running back Trent Robinson rushed for all 78 of his yards in the first half as LC built a 30-0 lead by halftime.
Robinson had two TD runs totaling nearly 100 yards called back because of penalties in the first half.
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San Jose State's Vince Buhagiar looking forward to facing the best
Sep 04, 06:25 AM
By Jon Wilner, San Jose Mercury News, Calif.
Sept. 04--To the tens of thousands inside Bryant-Denny Stadium today who are disappointed that tailback Mark Ingram won't be on the field, add the name Vince Buhagiar.
Except Buhagiar is not an Alabama fan by any stretch. He is San Jose State's starting middle linebacker. He also is a freshman who graduated from high school in June.
"When I first heard Ingram wasn't going to play, I was upset," Buhagiar said. "I wanted to go against the Heisman Trophy winner."
Alas, all is not lost for Buhagiar. Even without its star, the Crimson Tide presents a challenge or two -- or 200.
Sophomore Trent Richardson, who rushed for 751 yards last season, might be even more gifted than Ingram. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with the offensive line responsible for carving the running lanes.
"They have an unbelievable line; they're so athletic and big and physical," SJSU defensive coordinator Kent Baer said. "A lot of running backs would be that good playing behind that line."
Buhagiar doesn't much care whether the Crimson Tide starts Ingram, Richardson or the ghost of Bear Bryant in the backfield. He just wants the chance to tackle somebody, preferably knocking them silly in the process.
"To start your career playing the best will prepare me for whatever comes next," said Buhagiar, a Concord native who emerged as one of training camp's biggest surprises.
Expected to play tight end or fullback, he was given a shot at linebacker --
he played the position in high school -- because of injuries to starter Pompey Festejo and reserve Ryno Gonzalez.
"We said, 'Let's try you on defense,' and his eyes lit up," SJSU coach Mike MacIntyre said. "He was seeing the things you want a linebacker to do, and we hadn't coached him a day."
It helps that Buhagiar is big (6-foot-3 and 238 pounds). It helps that he runs well and is fearless and confident.
In combination, those qualities might offset that fact that Buhagiar is an 18-year-old neophyte in the middle of a defense that is about to face the No. 1 team in the country.
"He even looks like a (middle) linebacker," MacIntyre said. "Hopefully, he'll be the defensive face of the football team for a while."
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San Jose State at Alabama
Sep 04, 06:25 AM
By Jon Wilner, San Jose Mercury News, Calif.
Sept. 04--SAN JOSE STATE AT ALABAMA
RECORDS: SJSU 0-0, Alabama 0-0.
KICKOFF: 4 p.m. at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
TV: None.
RADIO: 1590.
INTERNET: www.espn3.com
SERIES HISTORY: First meeting.
THE STORYLINES: The first game for San Jose State coach Mike MacIntyre is as tough as they come. The Spartans, who went 2-10 last season, are a 36-point underdog against a team that hasn't lost since January 2009, going 14-0 last season. "... How will SJSU hold up physically (forecast: 80 degrees and humid at kickoff) against the bigger, stronger Crimson Tide? "... Jordan La Secla will start at quarterback for SJSU, but backup Matt Faulkner is expected to play in the first half "... Alabama will be without Heisman Trophy-winning tailback Mark Ingram, but his replacement, Trent Richardson, rushed for 751 yards last season "... Tide receiver Julio Jones and linebacker Dont'a Hightower are among the best players in the nation at their positions.
INJURY UPDATE: SJSU -- Linebacker Pompey Festejo (foot) and offensive tackle Fred Koloto (knee) are out. Alabama -- Tailback Mark Ingram (knee) is out.
STATS THAT MATTER: SJSU is 0-3 against SEC teams, with an average margin of defeat of 36 points. "... Alabama is 225-46-3 at Bryant-Denny
Stadium. "... The Spartans have not beaten a ranked team since defeating No. 9 TCU in 2000. "... Alabama has not allowed an opposing rusher to gain 100 yards since October 2007.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: SJSU's defensive front seven against Alabama's offensive line, one of the best in the nation. If the Spartans can't close off Richardson's running lanes or pressure quarterback Greg McElroy, then it could get very ugly very early.
QUOTE OF NOTE: "Our record last year is pretty irrelevant to what we do this year. Therefore, I think that San Jose (State's) record last year will be totally irrelevant to what happens in this game as well." -- Alabama Coach Nick Saban.
-- JON WILNER
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San Francisco 49ers' final cuts include special-teams standout Michael Robinson
Sep 04, 06:24 AM
By Daniel Brown, San Jose Mercury News, Calif.
Sept. 04--In releasing 22 players before the roster deadline, 49ers coach Mike Singletary acknowledged that some cuts hurt more than others.
The 49ers said goodbye to Michael Robinson, a team captain and a special-teams Pro Bowl alternate for each of the past two seasons.
"It was very difficult, as you can imagine. Mike has exemplified a lot of the character traits that you want in a team player," Singletary said.
But after meeting with special teams coach Kurt Schottenheimer, the 49ers concluded that Robinson's work on the return units wasn't enough to justify his lack of overall production. Listed as a running back, Robinson has only 52 rushing yards over the past two seasons.
"The bottom line is: We wanted more value," Singletary said. "For someone to take up a roster spot, to do those things on special teams, it would have to warrant someone doing something spectacular."
Receiver Jason Hill and inside linebacker Matt Wilhelm were among the other players bumped from the roster as the 49ers got down to the league maximum of 53 players.
Hill, a third-round draft pick in 2007, fell behind upstart Dominique Zeigler on the depth chart and had only one catch over four exhibition games. The San Francisco native finishes his four-year 49ers career with 40 catches for 413 yards and four touchdowns.
Cutting Wilhelm, a seven-year veteran, leaves the 49ers thin at inside linebacker. Rookie NaVorro Bowman is listed as the only backup to
Patrick Willis and Takeo Spikes. Outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks has experience inside and could move there in a pinch, Singletary said.
"Hopefully, we will get another inside linebacker as we go," Singletary said. "But I said I would not have a player on the football team simply to fill spot. I want a guy who fits the identity of our football team."
San Jose State receiver Kevin Jurovich was also among the final cuts.
There was better news for players such as rookie free agent Tramaine Brock. The undrafted cornerback from Belhaven University, an NAIA school in Jackson, Miss., impressed the 49ers in exhibition games and on the practice field.
"He's a kid that every day he comes to practice, he gets a little better," Singletary said. "He challenges. He competes. He's just one of those guys we really feel has some upside that warranted keeping him."
Brock made the team ahead of Karl Paymah, a five-year veteran signed as a free agent in March.
"The thing I've been saying all whole camp is: I don't care how old you are," Singletary said. "I don't care how long you've been here, I don't care how much money you make. The bottom line is what you bring to the team.
"People look at it and say, 'Oh, it's a youth movement.' No, it's not. It's a football player movement. It's a trying-to-get-better-as-a-team movement."
During his postgame media session a night earlier, Singletary flirted with the idea of releasing third quarterback Nate Davis. He had previously criticized the second-year passer for failing to study properly for the rigors of playing quarterback in the NFL.
Davis made the cut, prompting a question about whether Singletary's comments had been designed to light a fire under the young passer.
"I really don't play mind games through the media," Singletary responded. "The things that I've said to you guys I've said to Nate. ... I think now he understands, 'You know what? I really have to get this stuff down. I really need to have complete control of the offense.' We're going to give him time to do that."
Tackle Alex Boone also made the roster, a year after spending most of the season on the 49ers' practice squad. Boone reported to training camp in the best shape of his life, and the team believes his best days are ahead. "He's a work in progress," Singletary said. "But he's doing a nice job."
--The offensive players released were (in alphabetical order): QB Jarrett Brown, FB Jehuu Caulcrick, TE Tony Curtis, G Brian de la Puente, TE Joe Jon Finley, WR Bobby Guillory, WR Jason Hill, WR Kevin Jurovich, T Matt Kopa, FB Brit Miller, RB Michael Robinson and C Cody Wallace.
--The defensive players released (in alphabetical order) were: LB Mike Balogun, LB Bruce Davis, LB Keaton Kristick, S Chris Maragos, DT Khalif Mitchell, CB Karl Paymah, DT Will Tukuafu, DT Derek Walker and LB Matt Wilhelm
--Kicker Shane Andrus also was released.
For more on the 49ers, see Daniel Brown's Hot Read blog at blogs.mercurynews.com/49ers.
season opener
SEPT. 12: 49ers at Seattle, 1:15 p.m., FOX
inside
49ers roster. Page 2
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Rocky Mountain High rolls despite turnovers
Sep 04, 06:17 AM
By Rachel Roberts, The Idaho Statesman, Boise
Sept. 04--MERIDIAN -- Sometimes a coach is allowed to love and hate a football game all at once.
That's how Rocky Mountain coach Jason Warr felt about his team's 35-7 season-opening win against crosstown rival Meridian on Friday at Brighton Stadium.
"It's always good to get a win. We'll always take that," Warr said. "But we've got a lot of stuff to work on."
Warr's No. 1 complaint?
"The turnovers," he said.
Despite committing five turnovers, the Grizzlies' defense kept the Warriors from gaining much ground. Meridian didn't score until midway through the fourth quarter and only reached Grizzly territory twice during the first half.
Meanwhile, Rocky Mountain's offense kept chipping away. Quarterback Levi Altringer produced plenty of positive numbers. The 6-foot-4 senior quarterback, who started three games in 2009, completed 10-of-18 passes for 200 yards and three TDs while adding 69 yards on the ground.
He completed TD passes of 74, 5 and 40 yards and connected with four receivers in all. The only not-so-positive aspect of his game was a pair of interceptions.
"We have some fast kids and some good receivers and we just took our chances and we got them," Altringer said, "but I'd like to have a couple throws back, obviously."
While Altringer tested the Warriors through the air, senior running back Jordan Deck sliced his way through Meridian's defense, amassing 129 yards and a TD on 24 carries. His numbers too, were dampened by the loss of two fumbles.
"I'm a little disappointed by the turnovers that I had," Deck said. "e But I think our line did a really good job blocking. They are the reason that I got the yards. Our defense played awesome."
Rocky Mountain led 21-0 at the half, but it could have been much worse for the Warriors. Already up 14-0, Rocky Mountain's Dallas Burroughs had a 15-yard TD catch called back because of a holding penalty midway through the second quarter.
Later that same drive, Deck fumbled the ball at the Meridian 4, which was recovered by Warriors defensive lineman Tanner Hall.
"I think that we made a lot of good plays, except for our turnovers," said Burroughs, who had five catches for 110 yards and a TD.
With defending 5A state champion Eagle on the schedule next week, the Grizzlies didn't waste much time looking back.
"It felt good. There is always room for improvement, but I think it was a great start," Rocky Mountain senior offensive lineman Kevin Belnap said.
Rachel Roberts: 377-6422
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Capital High cruises in season opener
Sep 04, 06:15 AM
By Jesse Zentz, The Idaho Statesman, Boise
Sept. 04--Defense is often said to win championships, but it comes in handy in season openers, too.
Capital proved that much in a 45-6 victory against Timberline on Friday night at Bronco Stadium.
"We played physical and made them earn every yard they got, every first down they got," Capital coach Todd Simis said. "I was pretty pleased with the defense. They got us going early."
The Eagles (1-0, 0-0 5A SIC Division 1) didn't allow a point until the second-stringers took the field in the fourth quarter. They sacked Timberline's quarterbacks four times for a combined loss of 36 yards, tacked on four tackles for loss, intercepted two passes and allowed only 169 yards.
In fact, the defense was so dominant it helped out on offense. A player known mostly for his defensive play over the past two seasons -- safety Corey Bell -- scored the team's first offensive touchdown in his new two-way role.
"It's a new team. We want to establish our identity," said Bell, who is one of five returning starters from last year's 5A state runner-up. "We came out pumped up and ready to go. This is the first opportunity of many to prove who we are."
Capital also got a big lift from special teams, in particular kickoff returner Patrick Carter.
Trailing 17-0 at halftime, Timberline (0-1, 0-0 5A SIC Division 2) maintained some hope, but it didn't take Carter long to turn that hope into despair.
He received the second-half kickoff at his own 15-yard line, made his way to the left sideline, then turned upfield and did his best impersonation of Usain Bolt as he scampered 85 yards for a touchdown and a 24-0 lead.
"It felt great," Carter said. "I read my blocks, they told me sideline, so I took the sideline and I had a free lane."
Capital never let go of the momentum Carter provided until they scored 21 more unanswered points in the third quarter and sent in the backups for mop-up duty.
"We were up 17-0, but it didn't have a very good taste and we decided to get physical," Simis said.
The Eagles opened the scoring 6 minutes into the first quarter with a 26-yard field goal from Stephen Shaw, who also sent all eight of his kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks and was 5-for-5 on PATs.
Special teamer Harley Davidson helped extend the lead to 10-0 when he recovered a high snap that soared over Timberline punter Cooper Harris' head and into the end zone with 4 minutes remaining in the first quarter.
About 5 minutes later, Bell pushed the lead to 17-0 with a 2-yard touchdown run.
Carter's kickoff return was followed by back-to-back TD runs by running back Jordan Storrs -- the second set up by a Carter interception and 20-yard return to Timberline's 12.
Wide receiver Brandon Foley scored Capital's final touchdown with a 29-yard dash into the end zone.
Capital's offense, however, wasn't at its best -- rushing for 119 yards and passing for 43.
"I think offensively, we did a pretty good job, but as the year goes on, we have to play better," Simis said.
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Copyright (c) 2010, The Idaho Statesman, Boise
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Braves take command of MSC
Sep 04, 06:13 AM
By John Regruth, The Tribune, Seymour, Ind.
Sept. 04--BROWNSTOWN -- A tremendous second-half performance lifted Brownstown Central's football team to a 17-14 victory over a hard-nosed Corydon Central squad on Friday night.
Down 14-7 at halftime, Brownstown limited Corydon to just 36 yards of offense on 18 plays from scrimmage in the second half.
The Braves, meanwhile, put together a couple of clock-eating, 14-play series that ended with a Steffen Lewis field goal and a Jake Brown touchdown run, giving Brownstown just enough to take -- and keep -- the lead.
With the win, Brownstown improved to its first 3-0 start since 2004, when it opened 8-0. With last week's win over Charlestown and Friday's victory over Corydon, Brownstown took a commanding lead in the Mid-Southern Conference title chase.
"I'm surprised it's been that long," Braves head coach Reed May said of his team's undefeated start. "I was concerned because we practiced terribly this week. Our guys played a great second half. We told our kids (after the game), you're in the driver's seat now. This could be one of those magical seasons."
Brownstown's effort against the experienced and poised Panthers had all the markings of a season-defining performance. Among the eye-opening statistics:
-Brownstown allowed Corydon just 10 yards of offense in the first quarter. -Of Corydon's 11 possessions, six were three-and-out and a seventh was a single play that ended in a fumble recovered by the Braves. -Brownstown ran 71 offensive plays, while Corydon ran just 39. -The Braves held the ball for 11:02 of the third quarter's 12 minutes. -For the game, Brownstown possessed the ball for 33 minutes, compared to Corydon's 15.
Untimely penalties, however, prevented the Braves from translating their control of the game into a lead on the scoreboard.
Evan Eggersman had two touchdown runs nullified by illegal-shift and block-in-the-back penalties. The first recalled TD was followed by a turnover; the second led to Lewis' field goal. Instead of banking 14 points, the Braves managed just three.
"That just part of it," Eggersman said of the penalties. "It's a team game."
Eggersman, who ran for 96 yards on 21 carries, broke up a scoreless game when he powered into the end zone on a 1-yard run with 10:08 left in the second quarter.
Corydon, stymied throughout the first quarter, exploded in the second quarter. Lucas Windell responded to Brownstown's TD with a 69-yard run down the left side, tying the game at 7 with 9:08 left in the first half.
The Panthers kept up the pressure by engineering a 52-yard, seven-play drive just before halftime. Corydon quarterback Chase Burton capped the series with a 17-yard TD pass to Tyler Ross on a fourth-and-4 with just nine seconds left in the half.
Brownstown recovered nicely in the second half, however. While the defense was stopping the Panthers on series after series, the offense constructed a 14-play, 67-yard drive that ended in a 26-yard Lewis field goal with 5:40 left in the third quarter.
Another 14-play drive by the Braves, this time covering 76 yards, led to a 1-yard scoring run by Brown with 10:46 left in the fourth quarter that gave Brownstown a 17-14 advantage.
With the lead in hand, the Braves relied on their defense the rest of the game. After being forced to punt on two straight possessions, Corydon attempted a fake punt on a fourth-and-12 with 2:56 left in the game -- only to be foiled by Eggersman and Tim Bishop, who brought Panther punter Brandon Dunaway short of the first-down marker.
Corydon's final possession actually ended on a mistake. On third-and-20, the Panthers picked up 16 yards on a pass play to Brownstown's 41-yard line with 12 seconds on the clock. Hoping to stop the clock but not realizing his team faced a fourth down, Burton spiked the ball on the next snap and inadvertently turned the ball over on downs.
Defensively, Eggersman finished with two sacks for losses of 16 yards. David Baker added another sack for a 3-yard loss. Wade Toppe and Damian Jackson each recovered a fumble.
Scott Baker, Braden Scarlett and Taylor Franklin each broke up passes and helped Brownstown limit Corydon to 113 yards on 9-for-19 passing.
"Our coaches said we could be as good as we want to be," Eggersman said. "Good things happen when you work hard."
Box score
At Brownstown Corydon 0 14 0 0--14 Brownstown 0 7 3 7--17 Second quarter BC-Evan Eggersman 1 run (Steffen Lewis kick), 10:08 CC-Lucas Windell 69 run (Brandon Dunaway kick), 9:08 CC-Tyler Ross 17 pass from Chase Burton (Dunaway kick), :09.8 Third quarter BC-Lewis 26 field goal, 5:40 Fourth quarter BC-Jake Brown 1 run (Lewis kick), 10:46 TEAM STATISTICS CC BC First downs 7 17 Passes C-A-I 9-19-0 2-7-1 Yardage 113 48 Rush att-yds 20-118 64-254 Total offense 231 302 Fumbles-lost 4-2 0-0 Punts-avg 4-38.5 5-34.2 Penalties-yds 3-29 6-54 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING: Corydon Central-L. Windell 5-71, Seth Rennirt 4-44, Jeremiah Windell 7-21, Dunaway 1-1, Burton 3-(-19); Brownstown Central-Eggersman 22-96, Jordan Turpin 14-68, Braden Scarlett 19-55, Brown 4-23, Dakota Holman 4-12 PASSING: Corydon Central-Burton 9-19-113-1-0; Brownstown Central-Brown 2-7-48-0-1 RECEIVING: Corydon Central-J. Windell 2-41, Ross 2-38, L. Windell 2-22, Dunaway 2-9, Harrison Rinzel 1-3; Brownstown Central-Scarlett 1-28, Joseph Martinez 1-20
Player of the game
On a night when Brownstown's defense shined, Braves senior Evan Eggersman contributed a team-high eight tackles, two sacks for losses totaling 16 yards and helped stop Corydon's fake-punt attempt late in the fourth quarter. Eggersman wasn't too shabby on offense, either, running for 96 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries.
Play of the game
Taylor Franklin broke up a Corydon pass deep in Brownstown territory with just 25 seconds on the clock. Franklin wrestled the ball out of receiver Brandon Dunaway's hands, denying Corydon a first down, a stopped clock and a series of legitimate shots at the end zone in the final seconds. Franklin's play helped preserve the Braves' victory.
Stat of the game
3-0. Brownstown is undefeated three games into the season for the first time since 2004.
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Copyright (c) 2010, The Tribune, Seymour, Ind.
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