The Brownstown Central football team gathered in the school’s auditorium on Monday night to celebrate the 2022 season.

The Braves went 6-5 overall, 5-2 in Mid-Southern Conference play, and dealt with an unusual amount of injuries throughout the year.

Still, Brownstown was able to win a sectional game, dominating Brown County 61-7 in the first round. They followed that up by nearly knocking off top five ranked Triton Central in the sectional semifinal. The Braves pushed them to the brink, losing 24-19.

The season featured a lot of twists and turns, a lot of youth adjusting to varsity play, but one constant remained, and that was the play of quarterback Carson Darlage.

Darlage was named the team’s most valuable player on Monday night at the awards banquet.

The senior QB was the only offensive returnee for the Braves from the 2021 season. With new players all around him, Darlage rushed for a team-high 921 yards, an average of 83.7 per game, and scored 12 touchdowns.

Brownstown’s offense doesn’t feature a ton of passing, but Darlage threw for 547 yards and six touchdowns. In addition to winning MVP, Darlage was also named the most outstanding offensive back.

There were plenty more awards handed out to the Braves on Monday night as well.

Ethan Fultz was awarded with the mental attitude award. Trent Lowery was named outstanding offensive lineman, Keetan Burcham-Jones earned most outstanding defensive lineman/middle linebacker, Jaren Cunningham was awarded most outstanding defensive back/outside linebacker, and Carson Darlage earned outstanding special team.

Darlage, Fultz, Burcham-Jones, Bryce Neal and Ryan Branaman were all named Mid-Southern all-conference. MSC honorable mention went to Isiaah Engle and Quentin Tiemeyer.

Cunningham, Darlage and Fultz also all got IFCA academic all-state.

The Mason Watson Award, which is a special award given to a deserving senior, went to Neal.

The scout team player of the year went to Micah Sheffer and Owen Wischmeier. Branaman was the defensive points leader with 127 on the season.

Every senior — Aidan Wayt, Darlage, Adam Wayt, Cunningham, Caleb Cummings, Fultz, Neal, Jeffrey Barker and Andrew George — were all given Senior Awards as well.

Burcham-Jones and Grant Killey both also earned their varsity jackets.

The cheerleaders were in attendance for the banquet. Coaches Lydia Benter and Miranda Perry gave varsity jackets to Jazlin Foster and Lizzie Pollert, and Jordin Baumgardner won most improved.

The Brownstown junior varsity football team was also honored. The Braves went an impressive 7-1 on the season.

JV most improved back went to Trey Sweany and the JV most improved lineman went to Drew Shelton.

Head coach Reed May, who is now 291-62 in 30 years at BCHS, is losing some talented seniors but also knows the Braves have a good young core that will propel them into next season.

With how much varsity experience young players got this season and with how well the JV ream performed, Brownstown is excited to see what the team can do come fall of 2023. They open the season at home against Corydon Central on Aug. 18 next year.