Despite nearly 300 combined yards rushing by Derek Foyt and Nate Perry, the Brandon football team fell just short in their season opener Aug. 28.
Host Mt. Morris scored the game-winning touchdown with about five minutes left to defeat the Blackhawks 26-21.
The Blackhawks faced a tough challenge in Mt. Morris (1-0), who went 7-3 overall last season, including a 3-2 record in the Genesee Area Conference Red Division.
Despite the loss, Brandon coach Ron Gill said he was pleased with how hard the team competed.
“As I told them after the game, I was impressed with their effort,” he said. “The coaching staff believes in them. It was a hard-fought game and we played hard until the end. We continue to work hard and get better each and every week.”
Gill said he was also proud of the Blackhawks’ self-discipline in the game — the team committed only two penalties all game.
He said the team’s main area of concern is giving up the big play, which he said was a “huge factor” in Brandon’s loss.
Foyt, a junior, rushed for 161 yards on 11 carries and scored on a 57-yard touchdown run, while Perry, a senior, contributed 136 yards on 19 carries.
Brandon’s other scores come on a 17-yard touchdown run by senior John Preston and a 16-yard touchdown pass from senior Devin White to senior Matt Ruppert.
Under first-year coach Gill and his staff, the Blackhawks have switched from a wing-T offense to a more modern pro set, and have implemented the 5-3 defense. He said the team has done a good job of learning these new offensive and defensive systems.
“Our execution and assignment level was very high (against Mt. Morris) considering it’s a new staff,” Gill said. “We were impressed with how well they’ve picked things up.”
The Blackhawks played their first home game of the season Friday, Sept. 5 against Warren De La Salle. Last year, De La Salle went deep into the state playoffs, and Gill knows defeating them will not be easy.
However, he said the Blackhawks had an “excellent” practice Monday, Sept. 1, and will give their best effort against the Pilots.
“We told our seniors this is their last home opener,” Gill said. “It’s important to the team, the school and the community. We’re trying to build a program everyone can be proud of. We’re excited about playing De La Salle. They’re very disciplined and well-coached, and have a lot of talent.”
Brandon’s next contest is Friday, Sept. 12, when they host Linden at 7:30 p.m.