Braves clinch share of MSC title

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For The Tribune

SELLERSBURG

A wildly lopsided second quarter turned an anticipated Mid-Southern Conference showdown into a convincing 33-21 Brownstown Central victory over Silver Creek on Friday night.

The two teams entered at the top of the MSC standings, but Brownstown took command.

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During the game’s deciding second period, the Braves (7-1, 7-0 MSC) ran 23 plays, gained 190 yards and scored four touchdowns.

Silver Creek? Not quite as productive.

In the Dragons’ four second-quarter possessions, they ran 15 plays, gained 8 yards and failed to score.

In fact, Silver Creek’s offense became an extension of Brownstown’s first-half scoring machine with interceptions by BC defensive backs Seth Borden and Derek Thompson setting up the Braves with advantageous field position.

BC built its lead to 33-7 at halftime. Silver Creek (5-3, 5-2 MSC) scored two touchdowns in the game’s final five minutes to narrow the final count.

“In the first half, we played great,” BC head coach Reed May said. “We shut them down defensively, and our offense executed well. Defensively, we just played our assignments. We’ve told our kids all year, if we just play our assignments, we’ll be OK. I was really proud of the first half.”

Friday’s win improved BC’s all-time record against Silver Creek to 8-0.

More importantly, the Braves clinched a share of the MSC title by improving their conference record to 7-0. A victory against Scottsburg next week will give the Braves the outright crown.

Brownstown has won 18 conference titles in May’s 26 seasons.

“Winning the conference is one of our goals every year,” May said. “Now comes the big one. We want to win a sectional title.”

The win over Silver Creek was highlighted by Thompson, who in addition to his interception, scored three touchdowns.

Thompson got Brownstown started when he connected with quarterback Hayden Kinsler on a 50-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter.

Thompson added a 12-yard TD run and an 11-yard touchdown pass during the Braves’ second-quarter outburst.

Caleb Bollinger (6-yard pass) and Grant Stuckwisch (3-yard run) also scored in the second quarter.

Kinsler finished with 160 yards on 6-for-12 passing to go along with his three TD passes.

Brownstown showed a flare for big plays during the game. Offensively, the Braves converted two fourth downs (including a fourth-and-10 that Thompson converted with an 11-yard run) while the 50-yard touchdown pass dramatically converted a third-and-13.

Not to be outdone, the defense provided its share of big plays. Senior Braden Neal finished with two drive-killing sacks that moved Silver Creek backwards 25 yards.

Junior Jalen Tiemeyer added two more sacks for 37 yards in losses that also dampened the Dragons’ offensive spirits.

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