Brentwood Holds Off Franklin 17-9

Brentwood escaped a challenge from rival Franklin on Friday night as the Bruins would extend their lead late in the fourth quarter to defeat the Admirals 17-9 and improve to 6-1 on the season. After catching the close contest in Brentwood, here's my list of top performers as well as my full game recap.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Performers</h2>    Earning MVP for his performance was [player_tooltip player_id='814799' first='Gavyn' last='Nelson'], a running back at Brentwood High School. Nelson was highly explosive on the ground, showcasing his ability to fight for extra steps and burst forward for the first-down. Nelson ran in an impressive touchdown late in the fourth quarter to close out the game for Brentwood.   <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2QCEWU">Tape:</a>     Catching my attention at the line of scrimmage was [player_tooltip player_id='501903' first='Aiden' last='Elmore'], a defensive lineman/linebacker at Franklin High School. Elmore impressed me with his size and strength, proving his ability to read the offense like a book and lock down playmakers in the pocket. I also liked how Elmore could quickly create pressure and utilize his physicality to push the offense backwards.   <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2QF8NU">Tape:</a>     Also impressing me offensively was [player_tooltip player_id='903953' first='Jones' last='Merrill'], a wide receiver at Brentwood High School. On top of his great catching ability down the stretch, Merrill stood out with his ability to pick up major speed after the catch, blasting into the backfield for a huge gain with only a few minutes remaining before the half. Merrill's ability to punch into enemy territory helped the Bruins to record their first points of the night.   <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2QE70Z">Tape:</a>     Making a huge difference on the ground was [player_tooltip player_id='833720' first='Landon' last='Okla'], a running back/tight end at Brentwood High School. What stood out about Okla was his explosiveness under center, showcasing his ability to bully defenders on his way to the house. Okla was crucial in the first half, blasting into the endzone late in the second quarter to give the Bruins the lead.   <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/16770947/655a41f1b534910ad44c90b0">Tape:</a>     Impressing me on both sides of the ball was [player_tooltip player_id='1286277' first='Sean' last='Gaca'], a defensive back at Franklin High School. Gaca caught my attention offensively in the second half, punching into the endzone for Franklin's only touchdown of the night. What I liked about Gaca's playstyle was his durability under pressure as well as his ability to fight for running room in the redzone.   <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/13324943/653f14395b3cca0de8621621">Tape:</a>     Making a huge difference on both sides of the ball was [player_tooltip player_id='1476160' first='Luke' last='Thompson'], an athlete at Franklin High School. Thompson impressed me defensively in the first half, elevating off the ground to pick off Brentwood's offense. Thompson also showcased his versatility and excellent catching ability as a wide receiver, hauling in several impressive passes throughout the contest.   <a href="https://x.com/TheDego16/status/1825186752820126182">Tape:</a>     Making the clutch defensive play of the game was [player_tooltip player_id='1278959' first='William' last='Turner'], a linebacker at Brentwood High School. Turner impressed me with his ability to read the offense and find openings in the defensive line to apply pressure on the quarterback. Turner was a crucial defensive weapon in the final minutes of the second half, both sacking the gunslinger and stripping the ball away to secure the victory for the Bruins.   <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2QGuyi">Tape:</a>     Making his presence known at the helm of the offense was JC White, a quarterback at Brentwood High School. White made a considerable difference under center, showcasing his outstanding arm strength and ability to quickly get the pass off. I also liked White's ability to pick up yards on the ground and break multiple tackles on his way into enemy territory.   <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/17970896/66d76a7b2b4911bafa934f4a">Tape:</a>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Game Recap</h2>   After a slow start offensively for both Franklin and Brentwood in the first quarter, the Bruins managed to march into enemy territory with just under a minute remaining in the first half as [player_tooltip player_id='833720' first='Landon' last='Okla'] blasted into the endzone for the touchdown. Brentwood led Franklin 7-0 at the half. Brentwood would extend their lead early on in the second half as the Bruins settled for a field goal to take a 10-0 lead over the Admirals. Franklin's offense put together an impressive drive late in the third quarter as [player_tooltip player_id='1286277' first='Sean' last='Gaca'] raced into the endzone for the touchdown. Franklin trailed Brentwood 10-6 with 3:33 remaining in the third quarter as the field goal was no good. The Admirals would add another three points to the scoreboard later on in the second half, cutting Brentwood's lead to just one as the Bruins led 10-9. Brentwood came out on top in the final minutes of the second half as [player_tooltip player_id='814799' first='Gavyn' last='Nelson'] punched into the endzone for the touchdown. Brentwood led 17-9. The Bruins' defense locked in on Franklin's final offensive drive as [player_tooltip player_id='1278959' first='William' last='Turner'] stripped the ball away from the Admirals to close out the game for Brentwood.

Brentwood escaped a challenge from rival Franklin on Friday night as the Bruins would extend their lead late in the fourth quarter to defeat the Admirals 17-9 and improve to 6-1 on the season. After catching the close contest in Brentwood, here's my list of top performers as well as my full game recap.