NEW PEKIN
Brownstown Central’s football team has never lost to Eastern (Pekin), a historical fact that will live at least one more year following a 56-21 Braves victory on Friday night.
BC forced two turnovers and scored 35 points during a decisive second quarter. Besides boosting the Braves’ Mid-Southern Conference and season record to 3-0, the victory marked the 13th consecutive time the Braves have defeated the Musketeers (0-3) since Eastern’s football program began full competition in 2007.
Of course, none of that mattered to BC head coach Reed May when Eastern opened the game with an impressive six-minute, 11-play scoring drive that resulted in an early 6-0 Musketeer lead.
“I wasn’t happy with the way we played, and (the players) won’t be happy when we watch film tomorrow,” May said. “Give Eastern credit. They came out with something new and we didn’t adjust very well.”
Eastern would follow up with another strong scoring drive in the second quarter, but Brownstown’s overwhelming offensive showing in the second quarter offset the Musketeers’ effort.
Lucas Hines and Braeden Walker started the Braves’ scoring barrage with short touchdown runs that pushed the Braves in front, 20-6.
After Eastern’s second scoring drive, BC quarterback Derek Thompson followed with a pretty 61-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Jake Cope to give the Braves a 27-14 lead.
Brownstown’s defense, rebounding from its early struggles, contributed to the Braves’ second-quarter surge by forcing two Eastern four-and-out possessions along with an interception by Walker and a fumble recovery by Brandon Wilson.
The Braves took full advantage of Eastern’s turnovers, scoring on a one-yard Walker run and a two-yard Thompson TD as the first-half clock expired.
“That’s the way we should have started,” May said of his team’s second quarter. “I guess I’m not surprised. We didn’t practice well all week. Unlike my younger years, I’m trying to be more mellow, but I’m not sure I did a good job of that tonight.”
Thompson enjoyed another strong performance for Brownstown, finishing with a game-high 136 yards on 12 carries, two of which went for touchdowns. The senior also threw for 67 yards.
Eli Brown followed with a touchdown and 82 yards on five attempts. Walker added two TDs and 56 yards on just four carries, while Kiernan Tiemeyer ended with 39 yards on six rushes.
Sam Huber scored the Braves’ final TD on a 10-yard run.
Defensively, Hines led with nine tackles, while Walker ended with eight stops. Dustin Justice (two), Justin Brewer and Nathan Steinkamp had tackles for loss, while Brandon Wilson had a sack to go along with his fumble recovery.
The Braves sported No. 9 decals on their helmets as a show of support for teammate Dravin Guthrie, who was hospitalized after the discovery of a brain tumor. May gave a cautious but upbeat update on the sophomore.
“He’s out of intensive care,” May said. “Things are looking good, but we don’t have the results of the biopsy yet. We’re definitely keeping him in our prayers.”
The Braves finally get to return home after two weeks on the road, hosting Salem at 7 p.m. at Blevins Memorial Stadium. Brownstown Central pummeled the Lions 48-13 in Salem last year.
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Braves;56
Musketeers;21
Brownstown Central (3-0);6;35;15;0;—;56
Eastern (0-3);6;8;0;7;—;21
First quarter
E-Justin Carr 23 pass from Hunter Anderson (kick failed), 6:08
BC-Eli Brown 3 run (kick failed), 3:31
Second quarter
BC-Lucas Hines 2 run (Cooper Wolka kick), 10:57
BC-Braeden Walker 27 run (Wolka kick), 8:34
E-Marcus Martin 1 run (Anderson run), 4:26
BC-Jake Cope 61 pass from Derek Thompson (Wolka kick), 4:07
BC-Walker 1 run (Wolka kick), 2:29
BC-Thompson 2 run (Wolka kick), :00
Third quarter
BC-Thompson 45 run (Thompson run), 6:18
BC-Sam Huber 10 run (Wolka kick), 1:52
Fourth quarter
E-Devin LaPointe 2 run (Leo Hammer kick), 6:12
INDIVIDUAL BC STATISTICS
Rushing: Thompson 12-136, Brown 5-82, Walker 4-56, Kiernan Tiemeyer 6-39, Huber 2-11, Hines 2-9, Eli Wischmeier 1-3, Reese Henry 1-3, Brandon Wilson 2-0.
Passing: Thompson 3 for 7, 67 yards, 1 touchdown.
Receiving: Jake Cope 2-64, Brown 1-3.
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