Season openers can be unpredictable, uneven and eventful — which pretty well described Brownstown Central’s 42-6 win over Corydon Central on Friday night.

The Braves were often dominant, especially defensively, but were frequently forced to listen to exasperated coaches as their intentions went astray.

“Well, it was a win,” BC head coach Reed May said, with a pained smile. “Defensively, we played pretty well. But offensively we had way, way too many errors.”

After one particularly difficult stretch, during which the Braves’ offense had repeated penalty troubles, May called a time out, pulled his team to the sideline and had them do grass drills (burpees to non-football types).

“I’d finally had enough,” May said. “I was trying to send a message. That’s the first time in 31 years that I’ve done anything like that. We do have a lot of young players playing. At least, that’s what our coaches keep telling me. I guess I don’t listen that well.”

Despite the mistakes, Brownstown (1-0) showed some of its characteristic firepower. The offense’s ground attack generated 327 yards and five touchdowns on 35 attempts.

The Braves put the game away with a 21-point outburst in the second quarter and then forced a running clock with 14 more points in the third period (the mercy rule kicks in when the lead reaches 35 points).

Gregory Hutcheson led BC with 71 yards and two TDs on just four carries. His 31-yard run started the Braves’ scoring in the first quarter. He added a 27-yard score in the second quarter to give Brownstown a 14-point lead.

Lane Zike and Isiaah Engle scored on short runs to give BC a 28-0 lead at halftime.

Jack Pace then kept the momentum rolling with a 38-yard interception return touchdown early in the third, followed quickly by a 44-yard Preston Garrison TD run. Bryce Peak was perfect on all six of his extra points.

Pace’s interception was one of six turnovers forced by the Braves. Engle and Easton Branaman also added picks, while Joe Roberts and Garrison (twice) recovered Corydon fumbles.

The defense never allowed the Panthers (0-1) to get going offensively. The Braves held Corydon to negative-9 yards on the ground in the first half and just 22 total offensive yards on 27 plays before the running clock was tripped and the reserve defense entered the game.

Linebacker Owen Wischmeier led BC with eight tackles, including two for loss. Hutcheson, Engle, Chick Tiemeyer and Isaac Hutchinson each contributed a tackle for loss.

Friday’s win is Brownstown’s 12th straight over Corydon and improved the Braves’ record to 30-2 against the Panthers during May’s tenure.

In fact, the victory officially restarts the countdown to 300 wins for May, who owns a 292-62 record in 31 seasons.

“It’s a milestone,” May said. “Coaches with 300 wins is a pretty small, elite group. I’ve known or coached with or against most of the coaches on that list. It would be an honor to join that group.”

Braves;42 Panthers;6

Corydon Central (0-1); 0;0;0;6;—;6

Brownstown Central (1-0);7;21;14;0;—;42

First quarter

BC-Gregory Hutcheson 31 run (Bryce Peak kick), 8:22

Second quarter

BC-Hutcheson 27 run (Peak kick), 7:50

BC-Lane Zike 7 run (Peak kick), 4:52

BC-Isiaah Engle 9 run (Peak kick), 3:37

Third quarter

BC-Jack Pace 38 interception return (Peak kick), 10:49

BC-Preston Garrison 44 run (Peak kick), 5:26

Fourth quarter

C-Carson Lawyer 47 run (kick failed), 6:49

INDIVIDUAL BC STATISTICS

Rushing: Hutcheson 4-71, Garrison 3-70, Chick Tiemeyer 2-29, Lane Zike 4-28, Engle 4-26, Brock Dean 2-24, Micah Sheffer 4-17, Evan Stahl 2-16, Trey Sweany 3-12, Hudson Fritz 1-10, Hunter Toppe 1-10, Landon Ault 1-8, Kameron Cunningham 1-3, Trevor Branaman 1-2, Grayson Vague 1-2, Jack Pace 1-0.

Passing: Sheffer 4 for 10, 26 yards, 1 interception.

Receiving: Ryan Branaman 1-12, Pace 1-8, Tiemeyer 1-3, Fritz 1-3.