Comment: In football, anything is possible

It was exactly what they needed, and it couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.

The Braden River High football team finally got its first win Sept. 30. In a battle that pitted Pirates against Pirates, Braden River came from behind to edge past Port Charlotte 20-10.

And while I wasn’t there to witness it, I can feel the relief that flooded the Pirates locker room. After all, nobody on the Braden River sideline, nor I for that matter, would have predicted it would be five weeks before the Pirates would notch their first win.

Nobody could have envisioned quarterback Steven Ross would be sidelined with an ankle injury for most of the season. But when it comes to football, anything is possible.

Plans change from week to week, but sometimes, the unexpected scenarios are the ones that provide the most thrilling results.

Such was the case two years ago, when Ryan Fischer replaced his older brother, Steven, under center in the second half again Manatee after he sustained an injury. Ryan Fischer led the Pirates to a near-upset over the nationally ranked Hurricanes.

Fast-forward two years, and the Pirates find themselves in a similar scenario. Fischer will once again lead the underdog Pirates against the Hurricanes, currently ranked 78th in the nation after losing to two of the nation’s Top 15 teams, after taking over under center for an injured Ross.

Only this season, the stakes are even higher. The game is no longer just an opportunity for Braden River to see how it measures up to one of the state’s football powerhouses. Now, it’s a district game.

A win, and the Pirates are one district win away from reaching the postseason after a dismal start. And a loss — well that puts Braden River one loss away from being kept out of the postseason for the first time in four years.

Tomorrow night marks the start of a new season for Braden River. And with momentum on their side, perhaps the Pirates can pull off an upset two years in the making. It may not be probable, but in football, anything is possible.