East County Football Friday: Week 5

SCOREBOARD 

Braden River 48, Leesburg 14

Sunlake 34, Lakewood Ranch 14 

Lemon Bay 14, Cardinal Mooney 10 

GAME CHANGER 

Defense 

Braden River High 

The Braden River High defense picked off six Leesburg passes, two of which were returned for touchdowns, to lead the host Pirates to a 48-14 victory over the Yellow Jackets in non-district action. 

Ronnie McClellan had two interceptions — one of which was returned for a score. Tyrone Collins also returned an interception 48 yards for a touchdown. Demetrius Lawson intercepted two passes, and JoJo Louis had an interception. 

The Pirates also recovered a fumble to finish with seven turnovers. 

TOP PERFORMERS 

Braden River quarterback Jacob Huesman competed 17 of 25 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns. 

Lakewood Ranch running back Davion Thomas scored a pair of touchdowns on a 48-yard run and an 80-yard kickoff return for the Mustangs' only scores. 

Cardinal Mooney quarterback Tristan Hillerich competed 12 of 24 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 25 yards. 

BY THE NUMBERS 

16 — Interceptions the Braden River High defense has through the first five games of the season. 

2 — Cardinal Mooney games that have been decided by one touchdown or fewer this season. 

4 — Consecutive games Braden River’s first-team defense had gone without allowing a touchdown before Leesburg scored on a 10-yard run in the second quarter. 

1 — Teams that had a bye this past week. 

107 — Points Lakewood Ranch has allowed in its last three games after pitching a 40-0 shutout versus Bayshore in week two.