BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Telegraph Staff Writer
Ar’Naysia Griffin ran for three touchdowns and passed for another two, while the defense came up with three interceptions in the Bradford High School girls flag football team’s 38-0 win over visiting Florida High on March 30.
Bradford (9-0) has now recorded seven shutouts and outscored its opposition by a combined score of 338-20.
The Tornadoes had the ball first, putting together a 13-play scoring drive. A fourth-down run by Griffin and a 15-yard reception by Kimber Woods resulted in first downs, as did a 10-yard catch by Nichelle Brown. Griffin would find the end zone from a yard out to make the score 6-0. Her pass on the conversion attempt was incomplete.
Florida High turned the ball over after just running two plays when Dariah Gilmore came up with Bradford’s first interception. That gave Bradford a goal-to-go opportunity from approximately 17 yards out. Most of that yardage was gained on a run by Brown, which set Griffin up for a 1-yard touchdown run. Griffin then completed a pass to Jada Hankerson on the conversion attempt for a 13-0 lead.
The teams exchanged punts before Griffin came up with Bradford’s second interception. Then, taking her position at quarterback on offense, she promptly completed a 13-yard pass to Brown to set up first-and-goal. A second Griffin-to-Brown connection resulted in the Tornadoes’ third touchdown to make the score 19-0. The conversion attempt was no good.
Florida High’s first offensive play following the score was a pass that was intercepted by Brown and returned more than 15 yards for a touchdown and a 25-0 Bradford lead.
The Seminoles’ first play on the ensuing series was another interception — this time by Alexi Berry. That set up first-and-goal with 17 yards to reach the end zone. After receptions by Hankerson and Woods and a run by Brown, Griffin scored on a fourth-down play as time in the first half expired. Brown’s run on the conversion attempt made the score 32-0.
Bradford’s defense continued its strong play as the second half began. Hankerson made two tackles for no gain on the Seminoles’ first series, which ended in a turnover on downs after Ajiyah Jackson sacked the quarterback on fourth down.
Florida High finally began moving the ball and set itself up with first-and-goal. Jackson came up with another sack, followed by Khamyra Hankerson batting a pass incomplete. Hankerson then sacked the quarterback herself to set up fourth down. The Seminoles managed to complete a long pass, but a tackle was made 1 yard shy of the end zone, preserving the Tornadoes’ shutout.
The Tornadoes added the final score on the ensuing series when Jada Hankerson caught a pass 15 yards downfield, got past the nearest defender and outran everyone else to the end zone.
With that play, Hankerson finished with five catches for 135 yards. Brown added five catches for 105 yards.
Griffin completed 15 of 20 passes for 265 yards and rushed for 20 yards on four carries.
Brown had 40 yards on four carries.
Bradford travels to St. Augustine to play Florida School for the Deaf and Blind on Monday, April 3, at 6 p.m.
