Braden River Pirates set sail

SARASOTA — Justin Ross never dreamed he would catch a touchdown pass from his older brother, Steven.

After all, Justin Ross was only a freshman and was about to make his first start in a Pirates uniform.

And if that weren’t enough, the Braden River wide receiver also was playing the position for the first time.

Growing up, the two brothers spent two years playing together on the same Manatee Mustangs Pop Warner team. Steven Ross played offense, while Justin Ross played free safety.

Now, Justin Ross is making the transition to playing both offense and defense this season. Although only a freshman, Justin Ross didn’t imagine he would play such a key role in the Pirates 17-6 victory over Booker in their Preseason Kickoff Classic Aug. 26.

But sometimes, chemistry and instincts take control.

Such was the case in the second quarter, when Steven Ross, the Pirates signal caller, rolled to his right and threw back over the middle. Justin Ross was standing in the back of the end zone and the ball fell into his hands for a 24-yard completion, giving Braden River a 7-0 lead.

“Something just told me go that way, and I just listened to it,” Justin Ross said. “As soon as I went to turn, the ball was in the air, and I’m just standing in the back of the end zone holding my hands out, and it just fell right in my hands.”

The completion not only was Justin Ross’ first high school reception, but it also was his first high school touchdown.

“At first, I couldn’t believe it, but then when I heard the fans, that’s when I knew it was for real, and I just felt happy,” Justin Ross said. “So much joy came to my heart, because that’s my brother, and I never thought that he would be passing to me because I’m a freshman. I thought they would go straight to seniors. But that touchdown really meant something.”

Justin Ross followed up his touchdown reception with an interception, which he returned 40 yards down the sideline, with 2:11 remaining in the first half. The Pirates capitalized later in the quarter on a 26-yard field goal by Michael Unzicher to extend their lead to 10-0.

“He’s only a freshman,” coach Don Purvis said of Justin Ross, who couldn’t play football in the spring. “He worked his tail off all summer. He did a great job. He didn’t even come off the field. He does everything, and that’s pretty impressive for a ninth-grader.”

Braden River added another touchdown with 8:29 remaining in the third quarter on senior Ryan Fischer’s 12-yard touchdown run.

The Pirates overcame a sloppy first quarter, which included a pair of turnovers, thanks in part to a strong defensive effort by the defense, which held the Tornadoes scoreless until part way through the fourth quarter when Michael Jones ran in from two yards out.

“We were really sloppy in the first quarter, and I think a lot of that’s just excitement jitters,” Purvis said. “You’re finally getting to play against another opponent. I think some of our guys are trying to win the game on every play instead of playing the system, and that’s normal. They’re excited, and I’m excited they’re ready to play, but hopefully, this settled us down.”

Braden River returns to action Sept. 2 when the Pirates host East County rival Lakewood Ranch. The Mustangs, who fell to Sarasota 47-22 in their Kickoff Classic, beat the Pirates 21-7 in last year’s contest. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].