Defense Keys Victory in Football Home-Opener

Leading 14-6 at the half against Loomis Chaffee, Brunswick scored the next 21 points en route to a decisive 35-13 non-conference win over the Pelicans on Friday night on Cosby Field. On defense, the Bruins (1-0)  forced four Loomis turnovers. Brunswick will open Erickson League play next week, hosting Hotchkiss on Saturday, September 22.

 

Brunswick took a 7-0 lead at 10:01 in the second quarter on one-yard plunge by Jalen Madison. The score was set-up by a fumble recovery by linebacker Nick Villis at the Loomis 17-yard line. Madison capped the brief, three-play drive by shrugging off a pair of tacklers at the goal line.

 

The Pelicans trimmed the lead to 7-6 just over two minutes later, as Loomis scored a touchdown on a well-thrown 32-yard fade pass. The Bruins maintained the lead, as Brunswick blocked the potential game-tying extra-point.

 

Brunswick gained some breathing room later in the second quarter on a Fin Signer to Cornelius Johnson 11-yard TD connection. Following the Chris Chavez extra-point, the Bruins took a 14-6 lead into the half.

 

The Brunswick defense set-up another short field, as defensive back Liam Fairbank picked off a Pelican pass and returned it 20 yards to the Loomis six-yard line. Brunswick running back Michael Gottlieb reached pay dirt from three-yards out to give the Bruins a 21-6 lead with 10:11 left in the third quarter.

 

Johnson set up another Brunswick score with a 37-yard punt return that set the ball at the Pelican 37. The Bruins kept the ball on the ground for most of the drive, as Madison capped it with a nine-yard scamper at the 4:00 mark in the third quarter. After a Chavez extra-point, the Bruins lead grew to 28-6.

 

In the fourth quarter, Fairback notched his second interception of the game to set up the final scoring drive for the Bruins. Fairback stepped in front of a Pelican receiver in Brunswick territory and returned the interception 30 yards to the Loomis 31. Johnson finished off the drive with a remarkable run after catching a slant pass from Nicky Winegardner. On the 17-yard score, Johnson pinballed off numerous tacklers and knifed his way in for his second touchdown on the night.

 

Trailing 35-6, Loomis added a late touchdown to set the final score at 35-13 in favor of the home squad.

 

Both Signer and Winegardner each recorded their first-ever Brunswick touchdown passes, as Johnson finished with a team-best two TD’s on six receptions for 75 yards. Madison rushed for a team-high 10 carries and 40 yards with two scores. The Brunswick defense forced four turnovers, including three interceptions.