East County Football Friday: Week 8

SCOREBOARD 

Week 8

Braden River 30, Venice 20

Carrollwood Day 21, ODA 14 

Sarasota 28, Lakewood Ranch 14

Cardinal Mooney 35, St. Petersburg Catholic 0 

GAME CHANGER 

Paul Wiggins 

Linebacker 

Braden River High 

With Venice driving into Braden River territory, Wiggins intercepted Indians quarterback Bryce Carpenter’s pass with 3 minutes, 26 seconds remaining in regulation to preserve a 30-20 victory for Braden River in a Class 7A-District 11 contest between a pair of unbeaten teams. 

TOP PERFORMERS 

Braden River running back Raymond Thomas carried the ball 23 times for 203 yards and two touchdowns, including a 78-yard touchdown run on the Pirates' first play from scrimmage. He also caught three passes for 49 yards. 

Lakewood Ranch senior running back Justin Fischer rushed for 70 yards and scored both of the Mustangs' touchdowns on a pair of two-yard runs. 

Cardinal Mooney quarterback Tristan Hillerich threw a pair of touchdown passes and also ran for a score, as the visiting Cougars became the first area team to clinch a playoff berth. 

Cardinal Mooney defensive back Jack Koscho intercepted a pair of passes to help lead a Cougars defense that held St. Petersburg Catholic to two yards of total offense. 

BY THE NUMBERS 

17 — Consecutive regular season games Braden River has won after beating Venice Oct. 16. 

31 — Lakewood Ranch seniors who were honored during Senior Night Oct. 16. 

5 — Catches senior wide receiver Trevor Losada hauled in to lead the way for Lakewood. 

30 — Tackles junior linebacker Jason Fineberg has since moving to defense full time two weeks ago. The former running back has 18 solo tackles, two of which were for losses, and 12 assists. 

2 — District games Braden River has left to play this season. The Pirates can clinch a playoff berth with a victory versus Palmetto Oct. 23. 

TWITTER TALK
Here’s what some fans were saying following Braden River’s big district win against Venice. 

I love the Pirate family. HUGE thanks to Section E. 

Congrats to BRHS. They were a better football team than us!! #wehavetogetbetter

What makes a beautiful morning is looking back on last night. … #Undefeated 

It’s truly amazing to see how far @Cbradley2218 has taken this team since day 1. Proud to be a Pirate. 

Great win tonight for the boys. Biggest game of the year and they showed up and so did the fans. Love this school. #piratenation #tictoc

I am a Pirate for life. 

Who is going to doubt us next? #tictoc

I love our boys so much. Not just because they get the job done of the field, but the way they appreciate Section E. You boys earned this.