Pirates continue historic run

BRADEN RIVER — Braden River junior linebacker Paul Wiggins took a celebratory walk down the 50-yard line with three fingers pointed firmly in the air. 

After shutting out Venice 17-0 in the Class 7A-Region 3 semifinals Nov. 20, Braden River (12-0) earned a berth in the regional final — the third round of the playoffs — for the first time in school history. 

“I don’t know about y’all boys, but I’m happy to go to the third round,” wide receiver Juwaan Jenkins, who finished with three catches, said. 

Braden River advanced to the regional semifinals last year before falling to Tarpon Springs East Lake in their only loss of the season. 

Now, the Pirates are one of only eight teams still practicing in Class 7A. Braden River will travel to Plant City Nov. 27 with the winner advancing to the state Final Four — three years removed from a 1-9 season that is now a distant memory. 

“To lose your first nine when this group was freshmen and to say they are going to be in the Elite 8, people would look at you like you were crazy,” Braden River coach Curt Bradley said. “I’m so happy for our young men, nobody else. For the seniors here who have endured so much ridicule around campus, around town. Now we have the school behind us and hopefully we have the town behind us as well.” 

Braden River scored all of its points in the first half and sophomore defensive back Tyrone Collins knocked away a pass in the end zone on fourth down and also picked off a pair of passes in the fourth quarter to seal the victory. 

“That kid is a great player, but we sealed the deal,” Bradley said of Collins. “He is a special young man. Demetrius (Lawson) is doing a great job at free safety and A.J. Moore at the other corner … Just a whole defensive effort tonight.” 

Braden River took a 7-0 lead on its second possession when Dexter Hodo, a former defensive back turned running back, scored on a 8-yard run with 5 seconds left in the first quarter. 

The Pirates extended their lead on DeShaun Fenwick’s 7-yard run midway through the second quarter. 

Braden River’s final points of the night came on Kyle Thoma’s 18-yard field goal as time expired in the first half. The Pirates reached the 1 yard line and contemplated going for it on fourth down before opting to go with Thoma. 

“Coach (Eric) Sanders was very smart to talk me out of it,” Bradley said. “The meathead in me sometimes wants to go for it, but sharper minds prevailed. Thoma has been lights out. A three-possession lead against a team like that is all you can ask for.” 

Hodo finished with 100 yards on 20 carries. Quarterback Jacob Huesman completed 9-of-13 passes for 144 yards. 

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].