It was the fourth quarter that made all the difference.
The Brandon football team, in their first home contest of the season Sept. 5, hung tough in the first three quarters of their contest with the Pilots of Warren De La Salle, who went 8-4 last season and advanced three games into the state Division 2 playoffs.
Entering the fourth quarter, De La Salle was leading Brandon 14-7. However, the Pilots struck often in the final period, outscoring the Blackhawks 20-6 on their way to a 34-13 win.
De La Salle improved to 2-0 on the season, while Brandon fell to 0-2.
Brandon’s scoring came on a 10-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Devin White to senior tight end Matt Ruppert, and a seven-yard touchdown pass from White to senior wide receiver Joe Turscak.
White threw for 76 yards and added 50 yards rushing in the contest.
Brandon opened their Flint Metro League season Sept. 12 as they host the defending Flint Metro champion Linden Eagles, who went 8-2 overall and 6-0 in the league last year. The Eagles improved to 2-0 this season with a 31-0 win against Durand Sept. 5.
The Blackhawks travel to Oxford Sept. 19 for a Flint Metro League contest against the Oxford Wildcats. The Wildcats went 6-4 last season and 4-2 in the league.
Oxford is coached by Bud Rowley, who is in his 26th year at the helm. Last season, the Wildcats defeated the Blackhawks 27-20 in double overtime.
Oxford is led by third-year starting quarterback Kyle Rowley (Coach Rowley’s son), who also plays safety. Their other key returnees are wide receiver David Reile, offensive tackle Jerry Whichman, cornerback Steve Flores, inside linebacker Jake Krause and nose guard Jason Molczyk.