Pirates football lacks firepower in early-season play

Instead of booming, the Pirates' cannons have fizzled. 

On Aug. 30, the Braden River High football team hosted Sarasota High, attempting to get its first win of the season after a 38-7 road loss to Gainesville High in the season opener.

The Pirates wanted to see improvement in all three phases of the game. They saw it in two as the defense held Sarasota to 10 points, and while the special teams unit made a few mistakes, including a blocked extra point, it also offered exciting punt returns from senior Jaron Fields and field-flipping punting from sophomore Brandin Galloway, including one punt of 65 net yards. 

The team's offense, however, continued to struggle. 

In what would ultimately be a 10-6 loss, Braden River (0-2) did not score an offensive point, the team's lone touchdown coming from a fumble returned for a touchdown by sophomore defensive lineman Freedom McDaniel. The Pirates finished the game with 156 yards of offense and just six first downs gained. Those numbers could have been higher if not for penalties. Braden River was twice called for illegal man downfield penalties on completed passes, and several long runs were called back for holding. 

When not penalized, the Pirates' running backs could not find room to run, and senior quarterback Lucas Despot often had to scramble out of the pocket to get off passes. He completed seven of 21 passes for 71 yards and an interception. 

After the game, first-year Braden River High Head Coach Jason Grain could only shake his head. 

"We need to execute better on offense, and that comes from me," Grain said. "It's not the kids. We have a good quarterback, good personnel, good play calling. But we need to take more advantage of our (practice) reps, because reps lead to execution." 

Photo by Ryan Kohn

It was a similar story in the first week, when the Pirates managed just 178 yards of offense and one touchdown, a five-yard Despot run. 

Though it did not lead to points, the Pirates might have found a working strategy late in the game against Sarasota by giving the ball to Jaron Fields. The senior wide receiver and defensive back transferred to the school from Lakewood Ranch High during the offseason. Against Sarasota, the Pirates used Fields as a running quarterback to spell Despot, and he delivered 54 yards on four carries. Fields also had two catches for 39 yards and intercepted Sarasota freshman quarterback Hudson West off a deflection. 

Grain said the team would increase Fields' workload as a running quarterback in the coming weeks. 

"He has good ball skills, has good short-area quickness and he's a good competitor," Grain said of Fields. "You need those types of traits." 

Photo by Ryan Kohn

While the Pirates' offense seeks answers to its struggles, the team's defense showcased improvement across the board. After allowing 38 points to Gainesville, Braden River held the Sailors to a single touchdown — a five-yard pass from West to sophomore receiver Chase Fritz — and kept them off the scoreboard completely in the second half. The team's run defense was particularly stout, shutting down Sailors running backs Eli Litteral (16 carries for 27 yards) and Gavin Kubisiak (nine carries for 20 yards). 

The Pirates' offense has to find answers before an important streak is on the line. Braden River will travel to rival Lakewood Ranch High (1-1) to take on the Mustangs at 7 p.m. Sept. 6. The Pirates have won eight-straight games against Lakewood Ranch, including a 41-23 home victory in 2023.

The 2024 Mustangs could put that streak to the test. Lakewood Ranch lost 21-14 to Seminole High (1-1) on the road Aug. 30, but in week one earned a 42-18 home win over Lemon Bay High (0-1), a program that went 10-2 in 2023. 

After the game against Sarasota, Grain talked with his team, then remained on the field with his coaching staff, hands on his knees. The lack of execution cannot stand, Grain said. He is determined to get the program's offense sputters fixed in a hurry. 

"Braden River is a special place," Grain said. "The crowd support is outstanding. The administration, all of that. We have the things here to produce. We just need to do it."