Will to win

LAKEWOOD RANCH — The Braden River High football team is sailing through uncharted waters.

The Pirates are on a new course — one that not a single player on the team’s 41-man roster has experienced before.

And, yet, while it’s completely unfamiliar territory, it’s a path the players are more than willing to accept.

For the first time in program history, Braden River is 4-0.

Through the first four games of the season, the Pirates have outscored their opponents 139-44. But perhaps their biggest feat came Sept. 20 when the Pirates beat rival Lakewood Ranch 21-6 in the Class 7A-District 10 opener for both teams.

It was the first time Braden River had beaten Lakewood Ranch since 2009.

“It’s a proud moment,” coach Curt Bradley says. “To start the district season off with a win is huge. This is the first time we’ve done that. It’s a huge jumpstart.”

The Mustangs had won four straight, including a back-and-forth 41-32 thriller last season, heading into last Friday’s district contest. Lakewood’s 17 seniors had never lost to Braden River, while every player on the Pirates’ roster was in middle school the last time Braden River walked away with a victory.

But if there’s anything Braden River has learned over the past three seasons, it’s that nothing is to be expected. After all, this is a new season, and in a lot of ways a new team. The Pirates are no longer caught up in the frustrations and disappointment of two years ago. Instead, Braden River is seeking to start a new tradition of prominence.

Heading into their district rivalry game, the Pirates were determined to erase their past mistakes, while the Mustangs, whose lone loss of the season entering the contest came in double overtime, had their sight set on five straight.

Unfortunately the only thing the two teams didn’t account for was a persistent rain that continued throughout the duration of the game.

With half of the stadium clad in black and the other half decked out in white, the Pirates and Mustangs sloshed their way through their district opener.

Both teams were forced to adjust their game plans; they turned to their ground games instead of relying on the arms of their quarterbacks.

Braden River took a 14-0 lead in the first half on a 5-yard touchdown run by Raymond Thomas and a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Carlos Crawford with a half-second to play in the half.

The Pirates extended their lead midway through the third quarter on Thomas’ 3-yard carry.

With the rain lightening ever so slightly in the second half, Lakewood got on the scoreboard when quarterback Chad Rex connected with Trevor Losada for a 20-yard score. The Mustangs recovered the ensuing onside kick but were unable to extend the drive.

Behind a strong effort by the Pirates’ offensive line, Braden River held onto the ball for more than nine minutes in the fourth quarter to preserve the victory.

“That was tremendous,” Bradley said. “The offensive line took the game over. The backs held onto the football and did a great job of running. What more can you ask for?”

As the final seconds slowly ticked off the clock, the Pirates thrust their helmets in the air and jumped up to congratulate one another.

“This win really meant a lot to both my teammates and I, and it really made all of the hard work we put in the offseason seem worth it,” senior offensive lineman Evan Pulawski said.

A handful of Braden River players held up four fingers, usually signaling the start of the fourth quarter, before quickly forcing them down — a silent signal eluding to the end of the Mustangs’ reign over the Pirates.

At least for this season.

But with district games against Sarasota, Palmetto and North Port still remaining for both Braden River and Lakewood, the district race is far from over.

Braden River and Lakewood both return to non-district action Friday night. The Pirates will travel to Booker, where they will seek to avenge last season’s loss to the Tornadoes, while the Mustangs will host Charlotte in their homecoming game.

SCOREBOARD
Week 4 // Sept. 19

Braden River 21
Lakewood Ranch 6

Cardinal Mooney 14
Avon Park 0

Shorecrest Prep 16
ODA 6

TWITTER TALK
Braden River fans took to Twitter to voice their excitement following the Pirates’ district victory over Lakewood Ranch.

“Shout out to (Curt Bradley) for leading our Pirates to accomplish great things.”

“That was honestly the best high school football game (that) I ever went to.”

“Nobody compares to our student section.”

“The game ball tonight goes out to Section E. Best fans in the county!”

“Shout out to Jacob Huesman who played a great game despite the adversity.”

“So glad to be a part of a rivalry like Lakewood Ranch and Braden River.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].