Football Wins Season Opener

Brunswick jumped out to an early 14-0 lead over Erickson League rival Hotchkiss and cruised to a 28-7 victory against the Bearcats on Saturday. The Bruins return to action at home on September 29, with a rare Friday night game at Cosby Field against a familiar non-league foe, Cheshire Academy (2-0).

 

Brunswick (1-0, 1-0) got on the board early in the game following a Hotchkiss (0-2, 0-1) turnover on a diving interception by safety Michael Reilly on the Bearcats’ 25-yard line. One play later, Brunswick quarterback Nick Henkel (18/21, 291 yards, 2 TD passes) found a streaking Cornelius Johnson (6 catches, 96 yards, 1 TD) in the end zone for a touchdown. Following the successful extra-point, Brunswick led 7-0.

 

Later in the first quarter, the Bruins offense drove 72 yards for a score on an eight-play drive, capped by a 14-yard touchdown pass from Henkel to Sean Amill (6 receptions, 119 yards, 1 TD). Following the extra-point by Chris Chavez, the Bruins took a 14-0 lead.

 

In the second quarter, the Brunswick offense used a balanced attack to march 85 yards on nine plays, ending with a nifty touchdown run by Henkel from nine yards out. On the scoring drive, Henkel found tight end Hayden Hoover for a gain of 22 yards, and running back Jack Ocken (11 rushes, 47 yards) chipped in 25 yards on four carries.

The Bruins had a 21-0 lead at the intermission.

 

The Bruins opened the third quarter with another methodical scoring drive, marching 75 yards over 11 plays, with Michael Gottlieb (9 rushes, 49 yards, 1 TD) paying dirt on a seven-yard scamper. The touchdown and the Chavez extra-point capped the scoring for Brunswick.

 

Trailing 28-0 late in the third quarter, Hotchkiss scored the final points of the day after taking over on the Bruins’ 30-yard line. The Bearcats moved the 30 yards in seven plays, scoring on a one-yard touchdown plunge and cutting the deficit to 28-7.

 

The Bruins' defense held Hotchkiss in check, as the hosts didn’t cross its own 30-yard line in the final stanza. Defensive end Harrison Caponiti added a sack on the Bearcats’ last drive, as the Bruins left Lakeville, Conn., with a convincing 28-7 victory.