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BRANDEIS VS JOHNSON

So….. first team to 50 points wins?

With the offenses that will be on display when Brandeis faces Johnson Friday night at Comalander Stadium, that could well be the case.

Brandeis and Johnson, along with Reagan, are the undefeated teams in 28-6A play in 2022.  

Brandeis (4-1, 3-0 in 28-6A) played shorthanded on offense until their game against Madison last Friday.  The Broncos led 35-0 at halftime on their way to a 50-27 victory over the Mavericks. Brandeis defense had given up only 3 points in a 10-quarter span before the Mavericks’ second half outburst.  “We’ve got a bunch of guys who believe in the system,” explained Charles Bruce.  “Because we’re so multiple, and we don’t really change personnel as far as changing our fronts and coverages and everything… (it’s) just them believing in what we’re doing.”

One of the Broncos’ constants has been running back Joseph Coleman.  (“It’s a blessing having him.”)  In his third year on the varsity, Coleman has 84 carries for 479 yards and 8 touchdowns.  

Rafe Clendenin returned to the lineup two weeks ago; his 3 catches for 82 yards and a touchdown only begin to account for his contributions to the offense as a tight end and H-back. Clendenin is in his second year on the Brandeis varsity after playing at Medina Valley. Quarterback Josh Evans, another third year letterman, returned to the lineup against Madison, passing for 2 touchdowns and rushing for one. 

Even with absences, Brandeis has only been held under 24 points once, by Brennan in Week 2.  

As productive as Brandeis has been, Johnson (3-1, 2-0 in 28-6A) has been phenomenal. Johnson has scored at least 30 points in all their games and hasn’t been defeated in regulation; their only loss was in their opener, 46-43 in overtime against Judson in the KSAT Pigskin Classic.  

Since the opener, Johnson’s opponents have used ball control offense to keep the ball away from the Jaguars. While the “control the clock” tactic has been successful, Johnson’s still scoring more points.  

O’Connor ran 61 plays to Johnson’s 38; Jaguar’s won 38-23.

Churchill ran 63 plays to Johnson’s 41; Jaguar’s won 30-17.

Roosevelt ran 67 plays to Johnson’s 48; Jaguar’s won 63-35.

Johnson’s first year head coach T.P. Miller appreciates the dynamic; he was the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator before being promoted after Mark Soto’s departure for Judson.  “Our offensive plays are pretty explosive plays, we have explosive players,” Miller reported happily, but added “as a defense, we have to do a better job of stopping the run and stopping the explosive plays. That’s what hindered us this past week against Roosevelt… a missed tackle and our guy not in his gap… we learn from those mistakes as fast as we can, and now we’re correcting that.”

Sophomore quarterback Ty Hawkins has drawn attention by passing for 891 yards and rushing for 443; he’s generated his numbers despite spreading the ball around to involve his teammates.  “He is special,” allowed Miller, “but we also have (other) playmakers.”   

Among those playmakers is Lorenn “Bubba” Johnson, a fellow sophomore, who has earned Hawkins’ trust while rushing for 438 yards this year; he’s surpassed 100 yards in two games, including a 238 yard effort against Roosevelt.  Alejandro Tavarez has 14 catches for 447 yards and 3 touchdowns. 

Miller attributes Hawkins’ and Johnson’ mature play as sophomores to practicing game situations.  Talking to Offensive Coordinator Michael Buro and Defensive Coordinator Andre Sierra,  they said “we look at how we can create situations in practice so when they execute in the game, they’ve done it before. It’s a breeze.”  

Specifically, Miller credited practicing overtime scenarios in a scrimmage against Stevens for Johnson’s ability to force overtime against Judson.

So how do you slow down the Jaguars?  Bruce, as is his way, keeps the overarching message simple.

“You do your job, and you trust your brother to do his job.”

Miller is ready for the Brandeis Bronco players to do their jobs well.

“With Coach Bruce’s team, they’re going to play physical.  They’re going to get after it. They won’t stop playing until the whistle sounds.”

Mark Kusenberger

September 26, 2022 

Read more from Mark on his blog at https://mkusenberger.wixsite.com/website/blog

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