The Big Red Defeat BA

Michael Swett blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown to lead the Big Red to a 17-7 victory over visiting Brentwood Academy Friday night. MBA rushed for 150 yards and did not turn the ball over, while the defense controlled the Eagle’s offensive attack in a conservatively managed game. MBA opened the scoring just over two minutes into the second quarter on a six yard Andy Snyder touchdown run that capped a 13 play, 80 yard drive. On the drive, quarterback David Howe completed two of three passes for 40 yards, and Snyder rushed eight times for 34 yards. Will Hackett had a critical reception on third down to preserve the drive. MBA had the opportunity to expand its lead to 10-0 as the first half ended, but failed to convert a 30 yard field goal. The second half began inauspiciously for MBA, as Brentwood Academy drove 74 yards on 14 plays to score a touchdown and even the score at 7-7. After MBA’s next drive failed to move the football, BA seemed poised to take the lead as they gained possession at MBA’s 41 yard line. A big defensive stand and a poor BA punt put the Big Red back in good field position. After a second failed Big Red field goal, BA took over at its own 20 yard line. When three rushes yielded no yards, Brentwood Academy set up to punt the football. Senior lineman Michael Swett stormed through the Eagle’s line and, in his words, “power cleaned” another protector as he blocked the punt. He then scooped up the loose football and carried it into the endzone for the go-ahead touchdown. On BA’s next play from scrimmage, Mitchell Williams intercepted a pass, which set up a Clayton Foster field goal that gave the Big Red a ten point lead with less than three minutes remaining in the game to seal the victory. Statistically, MBA controlled the football game. They outgained BA 241 to 136 yards. Excluding BA’s one scoring drive, the Big Red held the Eagles to only 62 yards from scrimmage. The Big Red offense also converted six of thirteen third down chances. Snyder was again MBA’s workhorse, as he rushed 26 times for 107 yards. Drew Carney and Reed Blackwell each caught two of David Howe’s passes. Defensively, Ben Daniel had two tackles for a loss, including a sack. Ben Bartholomew, Chris Geer, Luke Brown, and James Banker each had four tackles.