Braden River football coach resigns

Braden River High football coach Don Purvis turned in his letter of resignation to Braden River principal Jim Pauley April 5, citing personal reasons.

In his two seasons at the helm, Purvis led the Pirates to 7-14 record, making the playoffs his first year after finishing as the district runner-up.

Purvis also resigned his teaching position.

Greg Williford has been named the interim head coach.

Purvis took over the job at Braden River two years ago after Ed Volz, who replaced Josh Hunter, resigned to take the head coaching job at Sarasota High.

The next head coach will be the fourth for the program, which will enter its eighth year next year. 

The Braden River High softball team captured its first district championship in three years with a 5-4 extra inning victory over Sarasota in the Class 7A-District 11 championship April 20.

Tied 4-4 in the bottom of the eighth inning, senior Elena Lopez notched a single to drive in the game-winning run for the top-seeded Lady Pirates.

With the win, Braden River will play host the District 12 runner-up in a regional quarterfinal April 25.

Trailing 1-0 in the fourth inning, the Lady Pirates tied the game when Lopez hit a RBI double. Braden River took the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning when senior catcher Ashley Allard hit her first career home run over the center field wall.

Sarasota responding scoring three runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a 4-2 lead.

Braden River tied the game in the bottom of the sixth inning when Allard hit a two-run double.