Football Friday

Top Performers
Braden River quarterback Jacob Huesman completed 12 of 16 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns in the Pirates’ 49-12 victory over Sarasota.

Braden River running back Raymond Thomas scored a pair of touchdowns on runs of 8 and 9 yards.

Lakewood Ranch running back Darren Lowery, left, scored a pair of touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown with 32.9 seconds left, to help lead the Mustangs to their first district victory of the season.

Observer Game of the Week
Oct. 10
Cardinal Mooney vs. St. Petersburg Catholic

Cardinal Mooney enters tomorrow night’s non-district contest with a 4-1 record. The Cougars were off last week after suffering their first loss of the season two weeks ago. Cardinal Mooney edged past St. Petersburg Catholic 14-12 during the regular season last year before falling to the Barons 35-34 in the opening round of the playoffs.

Game Changer
Justin Ross
Wide receiver
Braden River High

SCORE BOARD
Week 6 
Oct. 2 and Oct. 3

Braden River 49
Sarasota 12

Lakewood Ranch 28
North Port 21

Bishop Verot 52
ODA 12

+ Perfect Pirates
The Braden River High football team improved to 5-0 with a 49-12 victory over Sarasota in Class 7A-District 10 action Oct. 2.

After Sarasota marched 50 yards on its opening possession, Braden River responded with touchdowns on all seven of its possessions.

Quarterback Jacob Huesman connected with wide receiver Justin Ross for three touchdowns. Running back Raymond Thomas scored twice, and Carlos Crawford and Jaylin Austin each added a rushing touchdown.

With the win, the Pirates improved to 2-0 in the district and sit atop the district standings with two district games remaining on the schedule.

Braden River’s celebration was cut short when junior linebacker JoJo Louis was injured with a little more than four minutes to play in the game. Louis was attempting to tackle a Sarasota ball carrier when he collided with a teammate.

Louis was treated on the field for an apparent head and neck injury and transported to Blake Medical Center. Officials called the game after a 20-minute delay.

“Regardless of the season, regardless of the game, regardless of the score, you care about the kids; that is first and foremost,” Braden River coach Curt Bradley says. “It’s sad. He’s an unbelievable young man. That’s the most important (thing). Regardless of his football abilities, he’s a great young man.

“You would lose every game if you knew every kid was healthy as opposed to winning and seeing a kid carted off in an ambulance.”

Bradley and several teammates visited Louis that evening. Louis walked out of the hospital the following day after all of his tests came back negative; he hopes to return to the field later this season.

Louis has intercepted three passes this season, returning two for touchdowns.

Twitter Talk
“It’s not just about the game. It’s about the bond you will build with people that will last forever.”

“Beat North Port 28-21. Nothing like winning video game football. #gamewinningdrive #sameplay #tryandstopus #MustangPride”

“The support and prayers for Jojo from both Lakewood athletes and students shows a lot of class and character. What a great rivalry.”

“I’m blessed. Thank you all for everything.”