It was an emotion filled night for everyone in attendance at the Bronco Corral watching the ZHS Broncos open their district play against the Scotlandville Magnet Hornets. The packed home side filled with red and blue colors all across, with a mix of black and yellow across filling the opposite end of the gridiron. Both teams looking to open their district win with a strong opener, and a crucial win for both the Broncos and the Hornets playoff resumes. The Broncos looking to start their district play strong and contend for the top spot in the district, while Scotlandville looking to knock of the Broncos from their high spots in the LHSAA rankings and win a big rivalry game.
The Hornets nailed a field goal on their opening drive, with the Broncos failing to convert a field goal of their own their opening possession. Stout defense by the Bronco defensive line forced the Scotlandville to punt the ball from deep in their territory, with the Broncos moving the chains to set up kicker Boston Bently (12) for a solid field goal to even the score at 3-3. The Bronco defense stood strong again, giving the ball back to Zachary and using their drive to set up Tylek Lewis (12) for a 21-yard rushing touchdown, putting the Broncos at Hornets at a one score game with a minute left in the first half. Scotlandville wouldn’t budge, using the minute to set up an explosive play by their back, rushing for 80 yards and a score to deadlock the game at 10 going into the break.
Tylek Lewis punched in his second touchdown of the night, rushing for another 5-yard touchdown to put the Broncos ahead. Jeremey Patton (11) followed up on the next possession with an explosive 65-yard run to put the Broncos inside the Scotlandville 10, punching in a touchdown a couple plays later to put the Broncos up by 2 scores going into the final quarter.
Back and forth play by both sides left the score unchanged, but a late Scotlandville touchdown was made no difference as the Broncos walked away with a 31-16 win to start district play 1-0.
A significant change of momentum from the Broncos going into the second half made all the difference. A slow start by the Broncos going into the break fired up head coach David Brewerton and the Broncos coming out the locker room, as key players on both sides of the ball made huge impacts for the Broncos. Running Backs Tylek Lewis (12) and Jeremey Patton (12) led the Broncos on the offense with the help of Kriston Brooks (12). Jeremiah Smith (12), Tycen Kimble (12), and Zakarri Hogan (12) all made big impacts for the Broncos defense. The Broncos will return for their Homecoming game matchup against the Liberty Magnet High School Patriots next Friday.
