By: Kipp Branch

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

Brunswick traveled into North Florida and ran into a buzz saw named Bartram Trail. The Pirates were blown out 35-12.

The Pirate offense put up some nice yardage but turned the ball over in the red zone too many times in the first that killed any momentum the unit developed.

The Pirate defense struggled all night to stop the Bears offense and gave up too many big plays on the evening. Brunswick High needs to find some answers on this side of the ball moving forward as the Pirates gear up for region play in October.

Pirate Report Card

Defense: D. Brunswick gave up a 95-yard drive after the offense fumbled in the red zone on the first possession.

Then they turned around and gave up a two play TD drive on the second possession to get down quickly, 14-0.

If not for Bartram committing penalties this game could have been 28-0 at the half.

Too many missed tackles, talented defensive backs getting toasted in passing situations, defensive line got manhandled all night, run defense needs to improve before region play.

Down 14-0 at the half and needing a stop the defense gave up an opening drive TD to go down 21-0. A scoop and score for a 63-yard TD kept this grade from being an F.

Major improvement is needed, but the positive is the unit is in position to make plays and they will as more game experience is gained.

Offense: D. Pirate rushing offense looked good all night. Jaylen Trimmings and freshman Chucolbe Hill looked good running the football.

Coach Pender stressed all week that he wanted his offensive line to take over football games this fall, as they are a team strength but in passing situations last night the OL gave up 8 sacks and gave up sacks on 3 straight plays late in the first half on a key drive.

The Pirates struggled all night in the red zone, coming away with 0 points on three trips, two turnovers and giving the football up on downs.

KJ Lee will continue to improve with game experience and Marlon Carmena is the most dynamic playmaker on offense and needs the ball in his hands more.

Seven turnovers in two football games will get better as the group gets valuable game experience under its belt.

Special Teams: C. A bad extra point snap and two huge penalties hurt and this area needs improvement, but the unit improved from the Coffee game. Mitchell Richburg punted well last night.

Coaching: C. Great game plan on offense, but execution let Brunswick down with turnovers and sacks. On defense Brunswick was in position most of the night but just did not execute.

Overall: C-. The night was full of sacks, turnovers, missed tackles. Bartram Trail was there for the taking if this team just had just executed the game plan. The team will improve by region time.

This Pirate team needs better play from some talented players in the secondary, more intensity from the offensive line and another receiver step up and join Marlon Carmena as a playmaker on the offensive side of the ball.

Also, Brunswick needs more passion from a defensive unit overall. The defensive coaches may need to shake things up on that side of the ball to wake a couple talented players up.

Next up: MCA next Friday in Darien