The Brandon Junior Blackhawks Freshman football team beat the Waterford Corsairs 25-0 to claim the SYFC National Division Championship Sunday, Nov. 2 at Waterford Kettering High School.
This marks the sixth shutout of the season for the Brandon freshman defense. According to freshman head coach Matt Barger, ‘We definitely have the best defense in the league, both our first (string) and second. In fact, I would say the most improved players this season have been my second defense — all eleven of them.?
Defensive player Eric West was named game MVP. Other outstanding players named were co-captains Joey Boswell, Shane Mahaffey, and Jordan Westfall.
According to Barger, the team’s chances in the third round of the playoffs are very good. ‘Our goal this season was to have a completely balanced team on offense and defense,? he said. ‘I think we’ve achieved that.?
The freshman Junior Blackhawks will represent the National Division in the SYFC Super Bowl on Sunday, Nov. 9 at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep against the American Division champions, the Brighton Bulldogs Orange.
On the JV side, the Junior Blackhawks took home second place medals, losing to the Clarkston Chiefs by a score of 14-6.
According to JV head coach Ed Stermer, ‘It was very close and the team played hard right to the end of the game.? Ryan Gibiltara was named outstanding offensive player of the game and scored Brandon’s touchdown. Outstanding defensive players for the JV squad were Kyle Westfall, Michael Andrews and Tate McNalley.