Pirates sail into 2013 season

The Braden River High football team fell to Pinellas Park 21-7 in its Kickoff Classic Aug. 23.

Coming off a 1-9 season, the Pirates used their preseason contest as an opportunity to get film on as many players as possible.

Braden River’s JV squad played the first quarter before turning over the ball to the varsity squad for the remainder of the game.

“It was a productive day for us,” coach Curt Bradley says. “We got some good film on some guys and we’ll move on.

“It’s a long season,” Bradley says. “It’s a grind. It becomes a war of attrition towards the end of the year. So anytime you can get some playing time for those kids early on, you feel a little more comfortable when it comes time for them to get into the game.”

Braden River’s lone score of the night came on the Pirates first possession of the second quarter when quarterback Dusty Peebles connected with wide receiver Justin Ross for a 49-yard strike.

Pinellas Park responded with a 20-yard touchdown run with 4:05 remaining in the second quarter to tie the game at 7-7.

The Pirates turned the ball over to their second and third string players in the second half during which time the Patriots added a pair of touchdown runs in the second half to secure the victory.

Defensively, Braden River forced four fumbles, recovering three of them.

“We were put in some tough spots defensively with field position and we bode our neck and got a couple turnovers at some timely times,” Bradley says. “The kids played hard and they played through the last play, which was good to see.”

Braden River will open its regular season Friday, Aug. 30 versus North Fort Myers. The non-district contest kicks off at 7:30 p.m.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].