Telegraph Staff Writer
Bradford High School won its first three games by a combined score of 145-0, but Head Coach John Staples figured his girls flag football team would face a tougher test against a 1-1 Middleburg team that went 16-1 last year.
The host Broncos did indeed prove to be tough, but two touchdowns by Nichelle Brown and a game-clinching interception by Dariah Gilmore allowed the Tornadoes to return home with a 13-8 win on March 6.
Bradford quarterback Ar’Nayshia Griffin was sacked for a safety with approximately three minutes left in the game, making it a five-point game and giving the Middleburg offense a chance to march downfield and score. However, the Broncos’ first play following the safety resulted in the interception by Gilmore.
It was one of four interceptions by the Tornadoes, whose defense made its presence felt early. On Middleburg’s first play of the game, Griffin intercepted a pass. The Broncos’ second possession was a three-and-out, with Khamyra Hankerson setting the tone with a tackle for a minimal gain on that drive’s first play.
The Tornadoes’ offense failed to pick up a first down on their first offensive series, but they needed just one play on their next drive to strike paydirt as Brown weaved her way through defenders for a touchdown run with approximately six minutes to play in the opening quarter. Brown had a successful run on the one-point conversion attempt, putting Bradford up 7-0.
A penalty on the ensuing series gave Middleburg its first first down of the game, but Griffin came up with her second interception of the quarter on the next play.
Following the turnover, a run by Griffin gave Bradford first-and-goal, but a sack and a penalty hurt the Tornadoes, who eventually turned the ball over on downs.
The Broncos were able to put a touchdown on the board before the end of the first half. They picked up first downs on a pass play and a penalty. A completed pass on fourth-and-goal as time expired made it a 7-6 game. Griffin intercepted the pass on the one-point conversion attempt.
Middleburg’s first play of the second half was the same as its first play of the first half — an interception by Bradford. This time, it was Jada Hankerson who came up with the pick.
Griffin completed passes to Brown and Jada Hankerson before picking up a first down on a run. Griffin carried the ball again and was stopped approximately 8 yards shy of the end zone. Two plays later, Brown caught a pass for a touchdown to make the score 13-6. Griffin’s run on the conversion attempt was unsuccessful.
The Broncos struggled passing most of the night, but they put together a late fourth-quarter drive on which their quarterback completed her first five attempts. Middleburg moved into scoring position, but after a third-and-goal pass fell incomplete, Griffin broke up a fourth-down pass.
After Gilmore intercepted the pass following the safety, Bradford was able to run out the clock after Khamyra Hankerson caught a pass for a first down.
Bradford opened the season with a 60-0 win over visiting Santa Fe on Feb. 27. Brown rushed for 263 yards on nine carries, while Griffin rushed for 124 yards on six carries.
Griffin also completed 6 of 6 passes for 76 yards, with Jada Hankerson catching two passes for 20 yards.
Ajiyah Jackson recorded three sacks, while Gilmore and Destiny Crum each had an interception.
In a 32-0 win at Baker County on Feb. 28, Griffin rushed for 132 yards on 12 carries and completed 12 of 15 passes for 169 yards. Brown rushed for 80 yards on six carries and caught four passes for 105 yards. Khamyra Hankerson caught three passes for 25 yards, while Kimber Woods caught two for 15 yards.
Defensively, Griffin and Alexis Berry had two interceptions each, while Brown, Courtney Comer and Kayla Evans each had one.
Griffin also made two interceptions in the team’s next game, which was a 53-0 win at Bishop Snyder on March 1. The defense also got one interception from Brown and five sacks from Jackson.
Offensively, Griffin completed 10 of 15 passes for 185 yards, while rushing for 60 yards on seven carries. Brown caught six passes for 180 yards, while rushing for 60 yards on five carries.
Talaysia Jackson added 55 rushing yards on two carries, while Izarriah DeSue had 20 on two carries.
Bradford will attempt to improve to 5-0 when it travels to play Orange Park on Tuesday, March 7, at 6 p.m. The Tornadoes travel to play Suwannee on Thursday, March 9, at 6 p.m. before returning home to play Baker County on Tuesday, March 14, at 5:30 p.m.
