Brownstown quarterback Carson Darlage throws the ball during a scrimmage against Jennings County on Friday at Blevins Stadium.
Jeff Lubker | For The Tribune
Brownstown’s Hudson Fritz finds a hole during a scrimmage against Jennings County on Friday at Blevins Stadium.
Jeff Lubker | For The Tribune
Brownstown’s Isiaah Engle carries the ball during a scrimmage against Jennings County on Friday at Blevins Stadium.
Jeff Lubker | For The Tribune
Brownstown’s Caleb Cummings looks to make a catch in the end zone during a scrimmage against Jennings County on Friday at Blevins Stadium.
Jeff Lubker | For The Tribune
Friday night’s annual preseason scrimmage with Jennings County left a simple, clear impression on Brownstown Central’s head coach Reed May.
“We’ve got to get better,” the Braves’ 30-year mentor said simply.
The visiting Panthers ended the varsity portion of the contest with a slight 4-3 edge in touchdowns scored, but Jennings enjoyed a more sizable advantage in offensive yardage (254-169) and first downs gained (10-6).
“I was disappointed in our aggressiveness,” May said. “We’re young and we know there will be growing pains, but aggressiveness has nothing to do with growing pains. We’re going to have to get tougher than we showed tonight.”
Jennings scored on runs of one, 30, 42 and 66 yards, each after the Panther runner broke multiple tackles near the line of scrimmage.
Two of those runs were authored by JC running back Matt Hines, who ended with 107 yards on five carries.
The nose-punch delivered by Jennings County will likely prove to be useful for BC’s coaches in the coming weeks as they try to ingrain an earn-it-on-the-field mentality in this year’s squad.
“Part of me hoped Jennings would kick our butts tonight,” May said. “With the success we’ve enjoyed over the years, sometimes our players think they just have to walk on the field. We have to remind them that last year’s team won 11 games. This year’s team hasn’t won anything yet.”
Offensively, Brownstown countered Jennings County’s output with a 10-yard Grant Killey run and two touchdown passes by quarterback Carson Darlage. The senior connected with Hudson Fritz on a 53-yard scoring strike and Caleb Cummings on a pretty 17-yard fade to the corner of the end zone.
Darlage finished with 70 yards on 2-for-6 passing.
Killey led BC’s runners with 53 yards on four attempts, followed by Isiaah Engle with 20 yards on six carries. Darlage, who figures to be a workhorse in the Braves’ run game, did not run the ball on Friday night.
Defensively, Brownstown was paced by Ethan Fultz with four tackles and a fumble recovery. Engle, Killey, Jaren Cunningham, Keetan Burcham-Jones and Bryce Neal each added two stops.
Jaxson Johnson added an interception during the JV portion of the scrimmage.
The JV offense generated four TDs and 145 yards in its 15 plays. Jack Pace, Evan Stahl and Preston Garrison each scored a rushing touchdown, while Easton Branaman caught a TD pass from Micah Sheffer.
Brownstown opens the season next week at Corydon Central.