FREEPORT — A playoff berth already secured, Brazoswood took the field Friday at Hopper Field knowing a win would lock up the Division I top seed in District 24-5A. The Bucs took their prize with authority, blasting Galveston Ball 36-6 in the regular-season finale for both teams.
Brazoswood (7-3, 5-2) will play Fort Bend Kempner at 7 p.m. Friday in Alvin in a Class 5A, Region III, Division I bi-district playoff game.
Galveston Ball (5-5, 4-3) also is headed to the postseason despite the loss because Clear Lake defeated Clear Creek on Friday, 28-20.
Both teams’ defenses put forth a solid effort in the first half, but the Bucs did get on the scoreboard twice. Brazoswood built a 14-0 lead on a returned fumble recovery by Julian King in the first quarter and Bradley Peters’ 41-yard touchdown reception from a Chase Matzke pass in the second.
In the second half, the Tors’ defense wore down and the Bucs’ running game revved up.
Ricky Lunford rushed for 44 yards before halftime but finished the night with 197, including a 50-yard touchdown run on the fourth play of the third quarter. Teammate Marqualle Davis joined in the second-half fun, finishing with 77 yards rushing and touchdown carries of 1 and 28 yards. Troi Johnson ran in a two-point conversion following Davis’ first touchdown run.
“I challenged our offense at halftime,” Brazoswood head coach Dean De Atley said. “I didn’t really think we were clicking.
“I challenged them and they came out and executed. I was appreciative of the offensive coaches for the game plan and of the kids for executing.”
De Atley said his team’s hot streak of four straight wins heading into the postseason is a product of months of hard work.
“The kids started this last December with a lot of hard work and I couldn’t be more proud,” De Atley said. “I think we realize we can play with anybody. I’m excited for the kids.”
Ball put its only points on the scoreboard with just 19 seconds remaining in the game as quarterback Rodney Artmore leapt into the end zone from the 1-yard line. The Tors went for two, but the run failed.
Artmore passed for 130 yards, but was picked off twice in the game. Jelmon Woodard and Travis Clinton had the interceptions for the Bucs.
Lester Block led the Tors with 36 yards rushing on seven carries. Ball finished the night with just 44 team rushing yards.
Matzke finished with four completed passes on eight attempts for 68 yards. All four of his completions were hauled in by Peters.