Brownstown Central’s Cooper Wolka knocks in an extra point against Batesville last Friday. The Braves (11-0) play at Lawrenceburg this Friday for the sectional championship.
Jeff Lubker | For The Tribune
Brownstown Central’s Kiernan Tiemeyer runs on the muddy grass field at Batesville last Friday as the Braves won 28-14 to advance to the sectional championship.
Jeff Lubker | For The Tribune
Brownstown Central overcame sloppy conditions last Friday at Batesville to advance to the sectional championship this Friday at Lawrenceburg.
The Braves defeated Batesville 28-14 on a grass field with rain heavily pouring down.
“With the conditions the way they were, I thought we played well,” head coach Reed May said.
As a run-heavy team, the Braves were able to just pound the ball on the ground. May thought Brayden Millick did a really nice job snapping the slick ball, and quarterback Carson Darlage took care of most of the rushing attack with 217 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries.
“I thought the kids did a great job,” May said. “Defensively, we played really well.”
Not only did Brownstown advance to the sectional title game, but they also kept their undefeated record alive, now standing at 11-0.
The Braves will be taking that record to a 10-1 Lawrenceburg team that currently has a three-game winning streak over Brownstown.
Ashton Craig is an offensive lineman for the Tigers who is currently committed to play DI at Notre Dame.
“No matter what you do, if you have great players, you’re going to play really well,” May said. “They’re just a good football school.”
The keys for Brownstown to have success will be no different than the Braves’ formula to 11 wins this season.
They have to move the ball on offense with their powerful rushing attack.
“As long as we move the ball, we give ourselves a chance,” May said.
On defense, the Braves are focusing on not giving up explosive plays.
Turnovers also will be a big key Friday. Last week, Batesville had two turnovers and Brownstown had zero, which is a big reason why the Braves prevailed.
If you told May in the summer that his team would be 11-0 heading into the sectional championship, he wouldn’t believe you.
But each week, Brownstown has been able to better itself, and that’s why the Braves have been so successful.
“I’m very proud of how they’ve developed throughout the year,” May said. “That’s the sign of a good team is that you can keep getting better.”
With 16 seniors on the roster that all contribute during games, May has been pleased with how they specifically responded since that summer.
But getting to 11-0 and reaching the sectional championship isn’t the goal. The Braves want to take home the hardware Friday night. After being at home in the first round of sectional, Brownstown has been on the road, now going to Lawrenceburg for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
“They rose to the challenge. They won conference this year, and they’ve done well,” May said. “Now, they have a chance to win the sectional, and they have a tall task, and I told them Lawrenceburg seems like a home game to us now because we are always going over there. Looking forward to going over there and playing there again.”
Tickets will be available at the game Friday, but they will also be for sale in the BCHS athletic office today from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Tickets are $6.