The Brandon football team didn’t end their season the way they would have hoped.
Host Lapeer East soundly defeated the Blackhawks 40-14 in their Oct. 24 contest, ending the Blackhawks? season at 2-7 overall and 1-5 in the Flint Metro League.
For the seniors on this year’s Blackhawks, their career ended on a down note. However, Coach Ron Gill said he was proud of the team’s effort this year, and let them know as much after the game.
‘I told them I loved them and felt bad it (the season) had to end this way,? Gill said. ‘Obviously, I wanted to go out with a win for them. They were a joy to be around this year.
Junior Derek Foyt accounted for both Brandon touchdowns, one on an 85-yard kickoff return and the other on a one-yard touchdown run. Junior Mike Cybulski converted both point-after attempts.
The Blackhawks led Lapeer East 14-7 at the half, but East came back to score 33 points in the second half to blow the game open.
Junior Jordan Wingett led the Blackhawks defensively with nine tackles, while Foyt carried nine times for 75 yards.
The Blackhawks will lose about 20 players from this year’s squad, and Gill said those players who are coming back to the team next year will be expected to put in significant time in the weight room.
Gill also said key returnees for next year will be Foyt, Jake Marsh, Matt Rife, Andrew Spry and Wingett.
Three seniors on this year’s Blackhawks were named to the all-Flint Metro League second team: tight end Matt Ruppert, defensive back/quarterback Devin White and linebacker Justin Tripp.