The heavy duty freight locomotive, a.k.a. the 2013-14 Brandywine Bobcat football program, continued to roll through anything that stands in its way of progressing down the tracks, steaming to the goal of a perfect season.

The latest obstacle was the visiting LaLumiere Lakers of LaPorte, Ind., who came to town hoping to score an upset victory over the Bobcats on their homecoming night, but instead left bloodied and bruised on the wrong end of a 55-12 decision in favor of the home team.

Brandywine amassed 433 yards of total offense en route to scoring five touchdowns on the ground, then adding three more through the air while only allowing the Lakers 172 yards and two scores of their own.

Marty Ward led the way for the Bobcats, plowing through the LaLumiere defense for 153 yards on 14 carries with two touchdowns. Charlie Rodriguez, Brandon Earles and Vinnie Peel each struck paydirt on the ground for the Bobcats as well.

Even though he didn’t have a particularly large workload, Brandywine quarterback Andrew Duckett still managed to throw for 88 yards on 8-of-11 passing and find Kenneth Laurita, Austin Knapp and Earles for touchdowns.

Both of LaLumiere touchdowns came on 48-yard touchdown passes from Christian Carlson to Conner Anthony and JoVontae Peals.

Bobcat Coach Mike Nate was elated by his team’s nearly-flawless play, but was quick to say that his players, coaches and fans need to keep everything that has happened up to this point in perspective.

“The kids played their hearts out in front of the homecoming crowd tonight and I think they made everyone proud,” he said. “We’re 5-0, that’s where we wanted to be at this point, but we really haven’t accomplished anything yet. The next few weeks we will be playing much tougher teams and we need to be ready for it. We’re playing a team we haven’t beat in 10 years (Buchanan) next week and we need to improve upon some things before then,”

With their first 5-0 start since 1997, Brandywine stands on the precipice of securing its second consecutive MHSAA playoff berth. The Bobcats will get the chance to complete that task and end a 10-year losing streak to Buchanan at home next Friday at 7:30 p.m.

 

Brandywine 28 7 13 7 –55

LaLumiere 6 0 6 0 – 12

B – Marty Ward  run (Zach Schmidt kick)

B – Kenny Laurita 11pass from Andrew Ducket (Schmidt kick)

B – Austin Knapp 9 pass from Ducket (Schmidt kick)

L – Conner Anthony 48 pass from Christian Carlson (kick failed)

B – Marty Ward 38 run (Schmidt kick)

B – Charlie Rodriguez 1 run (Schmidt kick)

L – JoVontae Peals 48 pass from Carlson (pass failed)

B – Brandon Earles 6 run (Schmidt kick)

B – Brandon Earles 8 pass from Ducket (kick blocked)

B – Vinnie Peel 8 run (Schmidt kick)