BROWNSTOWN
After suffering consecutive losses for the first time in six seasons, Brownstown Central’s football team found the perfect cure for any lingering morale problems: Clarksville’s football team.
Currently embroiled in a winless season, the visiting Generals (0-7) offered no resistance to what became a record-tying 76-0 victory by Brownstown (5-2).
The final margin tied the mark for the most lopsided victory in Brownstown Central history, matching the original record set in 1975 when the Braves defeated Paoli 76-0.
“It was a good night,” Brownstown senior Justin Donnells said. “It was fun to go out and have some fun with the boys. Hopefully, next week we can keep this going.”
Donnells led the Braves’ offensive attack, rushing for 168 yards and four touchdowns on just 11 carries, his best game since a 200-yard, four-touchdown game vs. Seymour two years ago. Donnells entered Friday’s contest with 100 yards and two TDs in BC’s previous six games.
“It was good to get him some work tonight,” Brownstown head coach Reed May said. “When we changed our offense this year, our quarterback became our fullback. That affected Justin. So, we made the decision to move him to the slot. Our goal tonight was to get him some reps. He ran the ball well.”
Donnells scored on runs of 40, seven, one and five yards.
One week after being held to a season-low 167 rushing yards in a loss to Seymour, the Braves exploded for 447 yards on the ground against Clarksville. Adding in Kramer’s 89 passing yards, Brownstown Central ended the night with 536 total yards.
“After two tough losses (to North Harrison and Seymour), this helped us,” May said. “Last Saturday, we were down. Two of our goals every year — to win the conference and to win the county — are now out of reach. But I told our kids, our other two goals, to have a winning season and to win sectional, are still within reach. Hopefully, this will get us back on track.”
Senior John McKinney and junior Gavin Bane each accounted for two touchdowns. Matt Nierman, Gus Hogan and Colton Ritz also scored for the Braves.
Bane, who ran for 75 yards on just three touches, moved past 100 points scored for the season (102) with his two scores. His touchdowns came on a 53-yard run and a 31-yard pass reception. Of his 15 touchdowns this season, nine have come on plays of greater than 30 yards.
Defensively, the Braves were just as overwhelming, limiting a mistake-prone Clarksville to zero offensive yards on 41 plays.
Senior defensive lineman Matthew Lucas had a special night, finishing with two tackles for loss and a sack for losses totalling 39 yards.
Besides Lucas, Ryan Benter, Devin Stuckwisch, Stuart Hayden, Robbie Branaman, Grant Reedy and Donnells added tackles for loss or sacks. Stuckwisch also intercepted a Clarksville pass.