By: Kipp Branch

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

Down 21-0 going into the second quarter, Head Coach Sean Pender inserted KJ Lee at QB. Lee turned in a memorable performance and rallied the Brunswick High Pirates to a dramatic 31-27 over New Hampstead at Glynn County Stadium.

Lee led the Pirates on an 88-yard game winning drive with 1:54 remaining in the contest as he connected with Che Foy on a spectacular 20-yard TD pass with 12 seconds left.

Foy caught a pass near the sideline faked a defender then leaped the final 3 yards into the end zone.

The Pirates outscored the Phoenix 31-6 over the last three quarters. Freddy Towns leaped up and knocked down a last second Hail Mary toss to secure the win.

The win improved the Pirates record to 2-3 on the season while New Hampstead dropped to 2-2 on the season.

The comeback win may be just what the doctor ordered to jump start a playoff run by Brunswick moving forward.

Pirate Report Card.

Offense: B+. The Pirates were held scoreless in the first quarter, then once Lee was inserted in the game the Pirates scored 13 points before the half.

After the half the Pirate offense completely dominated the second half by running the football right down New Hampstead’s throat and the Phoenix wore down as the game progressed.

KJ Lee was the player of the game. The BHS offensive line dominated the contest. Che Foy had his best game as a Pirate. Xavier Bean caught his 4th TD pass of the season and the backfield combo of Jaylen Trimmings and Chucolbe Hill chewed up yardage in chunks in the second half.

This unit wore New Hampstead down as the game entered the later stages. This unit now has confidence moving forward. The intensity and execution of game plan is a welcome sight as region play starts in two weeks.

Defense: C. The unit looked awful in the first quarter and gave up an 89-yard TD pass in third quarter but this unit hung in there and did enough to put BHS in position to win the football game late in the contest.

Yes, improvement needs to be made in all areas of defense. It starts with giving up too many big plays.

The defense was minus two key starters in the contest. The unit played with much more intensity from a week ago and it showed in the second half.

Special Teams: C. A missed PAT forced the offense into having to go for two three times in second half. The kick coverage was ok and kick return made a couple of nice returns.

Coaching: B+. The game plan worked as planned with the up-tempo style on offense. The Pirates had New Hampstead worn down with game on the line.

Play calling was great and despite some key starters missing for BHS the staff made the right adjustments at the half to slow down the New Hampstead offense.

Coach Pender stressed intensity and execution all week in practice and everything went as planned with game on the line. Nice rebound from the Camden game.

Overall: B-. This team needed a win badly and they got it. It wasn’t pretty at times but it was effective when it counted.

BHS may look back and on this win as the one that jump started the season. This was a big win for the program.