Brownstown’s Isaac Hutchinson wrapping up the ball carrier on Friday against Eastern.
Grant Killey with lead blocker Jack Pace.
Grant Kiley scored a touchdown on this play from scrimmage. The Braves dominated 42-0 to remain undefeated.
PEKIN— The playbook keeps expanding for Brownstown Central’s young football team.
Last week, during a stirring win over Charlestown, the Braves rediscovered their productive run game. On Friday night, BC showed that maybe its passing game is ready to join the party.
Sophomore Micah Sheffer connected on touchdown throws of 58 and 43 yards during a game-clinching second quarter, leading the Braves to a comfortable 42-0 win over Eastern (Pekin).
Sheffer entered the game with a modest 78 yards and one TD toss on 6-for-16 passing in two games thus far. In the first half alone against Eastern, he threw for two TDs and 115 yards on 4-for-6 throwing.
“He’s struggled a little bit early in the season,” BC head coach Reed May said. “We’re were looking for ways to give him some confidence. He’s a sophomore. He’ll be OK by the end of the season.”
The Braves’ run game didn’t hit the snooze button on Friday night, coming out firing in first quarter.
On BC’s second snap, Lane Zike snaked through Eastern’s defense for a 22-yard TD run and an early 7-0 lead. Grant Killey followed on Brownstown’s next possession with a seven-yard run that pushed the Braves in front by two scores midway through the first quarter.
Six straight runs, capped by a three-yard Preston Garrison scoring run, lifted BC to a 21-0 lead.
The run game’s early effectiveness forced Eastern to squeeze its defensive backs forward to help. That opened up the passing game for Sheffer.
Garrison got behind Eastern’s defense and caught a pretty pass by Sheffer in stride for the 58-yard strike.
Moments later, it was Hudson Fritz’s turn as the senior ran past Eastern’s cornerback and pulled in a 43-yard TD from Sheffer.
For Garrison, Friday’s two touchdowns added to his team-leading total of six scores.
Killey led a list of 11 Braves who got a chance to run the ball, running for 61 yards on six carries. Hutcheson followed with 31 yards on four attempts.
Like the run game, Brownstown’s defense came out ready to play. The Braves allowed just 30 yards on Eastern’s 31 first-half plays. The Musketeers never got a run game or pass game going.
“We thought this might be the best Eastern team we’ve seen,” May said. “But we got a couple of quick scores and got them out of what they like to do. Suddenly it was 35-0 and the game was over.”
Friday’s result was the Braves’ first defensive shutout since a sectional-opening 41-0 win over Scottsburg in 2021. It also marked the fourth time BC has shutout Eastern in 16 games between the two schools.
Brownstown is now 16-0 against the Musketeers.
Defensively, the Braves were led by Owen Wischmeier’s seven tackles, three of which were for loss and one of which was a sack. Jack Pace added two tackles for loss, while Ryan Branaman and Killey each added a TFL.
In addition to his work on the offensive side of the ball, Garrison added a pass breakup.
For May, the beat goes on as he strives for a career milestone. The 31-year coach now owns 294 career victories (against just 62 losses). Including a guaranteed sectional game, the Braves have at least seven games remaining on their schedule.
Though an undefeated regular season is difficult to foresee this year given his team’s youth, last week’s win over Charlestown raised hopes. May can reach No. 300 either with a perfect regular-season run or a successful tournament showing.
High School Football
Braves;42
Musketeers;0
Brownstown Central (3-0);14;21;0;7;—;42
Eastern (Pekin) (1-2);0;0;0;0;—;0
First quarter
BC-Lane Zike 22 run (Bryce Peak kick), 9:34
BC-Grant Killey 7 run (Peak kick), 6:15
Second quarter
BC-Preston Garrison 3 run (Peak kick), 10:51
BC-Garrison 58 pass from Micah Sheffer (Peak kick), 7:41
BC-Hudson Fritz 43 pass from Sheffer (Peak kick), 6:19
Fourth quarter
BC-Brock Dean 13 run (Peak kick), 9:57
INDIVIDUAL BC STATISTICS
Rushing: Killey 6-61, Gregory Hutcheson 4-31, Zike 2-28, Jack Pace 3-18, Garrison 6-18, Dean 1-13, Chick Tiemeyer 2-7, Kameron Cunningham 1-5, Evan Stahl 2-5, Trey Sweany 3-4, Sheffer 2-(-4), Team 32-197.
Passing: Sheffer 4 for 6, 115 yards, 2 touchdowns.
Receiving: Garrison 1-58, Fritz 2-48, Grayson Cassidy 1-9.