Pirate Pride Runs Deep

BRADEN RIVER — There are three elements to every story: a beginning, a middle and an end. 

For the 19 seniors on the Braden River High football team, their story began four years ago when former Athletic Director Bob Bowling called the players together during a spring practice in May 2012, and told them the Pirates had found their man. 

That man was Curt Bradley. 

An energetic 26-year-old in his first head coaching position, Bradley was charged with the task of bringing life to a program that had been marred by tragedy and had seen its last two coaches and numerous players walk away for a myriad of reasons. 

At first, some players were skeptical. They had every right to be. Who was to say this time around would be different? 

Bradley knew change wouldn’t happen over night; but as he looked each of his players in the eye following the 2012 spring season, he made a promise that they would be responsible for turning the program around and he would be by their side every step of the way. 

It didn’t take long for the players to buy in. 

The Pirates lost their first nine games of the 2012 season and were shutout five different times. It wasn’t until the second week in November, the final week of the season, on a cool night in Pirate Stadium that Braden River walked off the field victorious. 

It was the start of something special.

Braden River, which was ranked 8,321 in the nation and 396 in the state at the end of the 2012 season, went from a disappointing 1-9 season to three-consecutive winning seasons highlighted by back-to-back district championships and perfect regular seasons and the school’s first regional championship and state semifinal appearance this season. 

“This season set the standard for Braden River football,” senior kicker Kyle Thoma said. “The young guys know what it was like to get to the Final Four. I hope that they get further than we did. I also hope that the integrity built these past couple of years continues through the program.” 

Bradley and offensive coordinator and associate head coach Eric Sanders were the masterminds behind the transformation; but it was the seniors willingness to stand together through the highs and lows of the past four seasons that allowed the program to go from being an afterthought to one of the area’s elite teams. 

“This season says a lot for the history of the BRHS program,” senior defensive lineman Dylan Tyson said. “Instead of teams thinking that Braden River is going to lay down and give up for an easy win, they now know that Braden River is an elite football program and arguably the best in Manatee County.” 

As the Pirates huddled together following their 27-10 loss to defending Class 7A state champion St. Thomas Aquinas in the Class 7A state semifinals Dec. 4, their first loss of the season, tears and disappointment plagued their faces. 

After all, that wasn’t the outcome they envisioned when they ran out onto their home field some three hours before. The Pirates had fully planned to be in Orlando this Friday playing for a state championship. 

How could they not? They were 13-0 and had all of the confidence in the world. They deserved the opportunity. 

But for Braden River, last Friday’s state semifinal loss doesn’t mark the end of the Pirates story. It’s just the end of another chapter in Bradley’s book of Pirate pride.

“I wouldn’t want to be with any other team,” Bradley told his players. “They haven’t been through the struggles you’ve been through. And for you seniors, you’re always welcome back. There’s always a place for you here. 

“Thank you,” Bradley said. “There’s nothing else to say, but thank you. I love you guys so much.” 

Braden River’s ride is far from over. They’ll be back. It’s only a matter of time. This season is proof that with faith, commitment and perseverance anything is possible. 

“We got Pirate pride in our heart,” senior running back Roman Grissett said. 

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].