For The Tribune
Brownstown Central’s football team hosted Jennings County for a controlled scrimmage Friday as the two squads prepare for the 2016 season.
While keeping score was not the aim of the event, the Braves finished with four touchdowns and two successful field goals.
Jennings County managed a single TD.
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“We were just ready to play someone,” Brownstown Central coach Reed May said. “With the new rules, you can practice all summer. At this point, we’re ready to play a game.”
The Braves’ eagerness was immediately apparent. On the night’s first snap, Brownstown gained 53 yards on a Kyle Kramer-to-Gavin Bane shovel pass. The Braves then scored on the next snap when Kramer connected with Andrew Murphy on a 12-yard pass.
Kramer enjoyed an efficient night, throwing for 93 yards on 5-for-6 passing.
In addition to Murphy’s TD, Gus Hogan, Bane and Jalen Tiemeyer each scored a touchdown for the Braves. Senior placekicker Tristan Robinson succeeded on his two field goal attempts from 20 and 37 yards.
The Braves finished with a balanced offensive attack, gaining 163 through the air and 159 on the ground.
Bane led Brownstown’s runners with 37 yards on six carries. Hogan added 36 on five carries, followed by 22 yards each from Derek Rieckers and Lance Goecker.
“I thought we executed fairly well,” May said. “We saw some good things offensively. I thought we sustained our blocks well. Defensively, we were flying to the ball.”
Indeed, defensively, the Braves negated Jennings County’s rush attack. The Panthers never ran the ball more than five yards on a single carry and finished with negative-2 yards on 25 attempts. Getting excellent push against Jennings County’s line, Brownstown stopped Jennings for zero or negative yardage 13 times.
Tyler Neal and Murphy led Brownstown with four tackles each. Trevor Colby wasn’t far behind with three tackles, including two sacks. Lendon Underwood and Luke Shelton also added a sack each, while Bell recovered a Jennings County fumble.
While their ground game was stymied, the Panthers enjoyed success through the air. Jennings finished with 156 passing yards, including a 57-yard pass on a fourth-and-17 play that resulted in Jennings County’s only touchdown.
Jennings County attempted 20 passes, one of which was batted away by Bane and another which was intercepted by Carson Lambring.
The Braves open the season with consecutive road games, starting at Paoli on Friday and then a game at Charlestown.
Brownstown’s first home game is on Sept. 2 vs. Eastern Pekin.
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Seniors: Derek Rieckers, Kyle Kramer, Gavin Bane, Carson Lambring, Devin Stuckwisch, Andrew Murphy, Lance Goecker, Tristan Robinson, Tyler Neal, Cameron Eggersman, Trevor Colby, Bryce Hughes, Joe Barnes, Clark Hauer.
Juniors: Gus Hogan, Karl Pence, Payton Barker, Colton Ritz, Andy Kellermeier, Stuart Hayden, Noah Reynolds, Valtrin Kershi, Brendan Patman, Kylen Terry, Lendon Underwood, Reace Cavenaugh.
Sophomores: Caleb Bollinger, Seth Borden, Matthew Bell, Grant Stuckwisch, Braden Neal, Ethan Bundy, Robbie Branaman, Brant Eagans, Brayden Fish, Dane Darlage, Derrick Prewitt, Brian Murphy, Julian Deaton, Lane Lucas, Zac White, Luke Shelton, Taylor Henderson.
Freshmen: Clayton Barger, Braeden Walker, Derek Thompson, Hayden Kinsler, Brandon Wilson, Logan Overshiner, Daniel Peters, Leighton Rose, Eli Brown, Cody Griffith, Brennon Fleetwood, Justin Brewer, Jalen Tiemeyer, Sam Huber, Chayse Shell, Sean Tharp, Kyan McKain, Bruce Spicer, Jake Gray, Robert Buckles, Jake Cope, Joseph Striegel, Camden Wynn, Duston Luttrell, Isaac Horton, Nathan Steinkamp.
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VARSITY
August 19: at Paoli, 7 p.m.
Aug. 26: at Charlestown, 7 p.m.
Sept. 2: Eastern (Pekin), 7 p.m.
Sept. 9: at Salem, 7 p.m.
Sept. 16: North Harrison, 7 p.m.
Sept. 23: Seymour, 7 p.m.
Sept. 30: at Clarksville, 7 p.m.
Oct. 7: Silver Creek, 7 p.m.
Oct. 14: at Corydon Central, 7 p.m.
Oct. 21: at Sectionals, TBA
JUNIOR VARSITY
August 22: Paoli, 6 p.m.
Aug 29: Charlestown, 6 p.m.
Sept 3: at Eastern (Pekin), 10 a.m.
Sept. 12: Salem, 6 p.m.
Sept. 19: at North Harrison, 6 p.m.
Sept. 26: at Seymour, 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 3: Clarksville, 6 p.m.
Oct. 10: at Silver Creek, 6 p.m.
Oct. 17: Corydon Central, 6 p.m.
FRESHMAN
Aug. 27: at Madison, 10 a.m.
Sept. 3: Corydon Central, 10 a.m.
Sept. 19: at Scottsburg, 6 p.m.
Sept. 26: Seymour, 6 p.m.
Oct. 6: at Milan, 6 p.m.
Oct. 10: Silver Creek, 6p .m.
Oct. 17: at Edgewood, 6 p.m.
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