BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Ar’Nayshia Griffin had the game’s only score and came up with two interceptions on defense in the Bradford High School flag football team’s 6-0 win over Keystone Heights in the District 4-1A semifinals on April 9 in Starke.
The Tornadoes (7-1) will play for the championship on Wednesday, April 10, at 6 p.m. at BHS. They’ll play a Region 1 quarterfinal game on Wednesday, April 17, at a time and location to be determined.
Keystone (5-11), which advanced to the game off a 21-0 quarterfinal win over Baldwin, had the game’s first goal-to-go opportunity, with quarterback Alee Horton rushing for a 14-yard gain to the Bradford 19. The Tornadoes’ Nichelle Brown put an end to the threat, intercepting a pass and returning it 29 yards to the Keystone 16.
The Tornadoes failed to score, turning the ball over on downs.
Keystone then put together its best drive of the game. An 11-yard run by Horton resulted in one first down, while her 19-yard pass to Alana Anderson resulted in another at the Bradford 30. Horton then completed passes of 7 yards to Ashlyn Brown and 4 yards to Alyssa Sanford to set up first-and-goal at the 19, but the Indians would turn the ball over on downs.
After a scoreless first half, Bradford threatened to score on the opening drive of the second half. Brown completed a 14-yard pass to Griffin on the Tornadoes’ first play. Brown then eluded at least three defenders on a run that took her 52 yards into the end zone, but a penalty nullified the score.
The Tornadoes still had a first down, though, at the Keystone 39. A 16-yard reception by Griffin and a 7-yard run by Brown resulted in first-and-goal at the 15. Bradford would gain another 5 yards before the Indians’ Horton intercepted a fourth-down pass.
Keystone failed to pick up a first down on its first drive of the half. The Indians punted to Brown, who had an 11-yard return to the Keystone 34. Two plays later, Griffin made her way through the defense for a 17-yard run and a first-and-goal at the 13. Two pass completions moved the Tornadoes to the 1-yard line. Griffin scored on a run from there on fourth down on the first play of the fourth quarter.
Griffin had interceptions on two of Keystone’s final three offensive series.
Brown and Griffin combined to rush for more than 100 yards. Brown had five carries for 50 yards, while Griffin had 10 for 58.
Each player also had 30 yards passing, with Brown completing 2 of 2 passes and Griffin completing 8 of 26.
Griffin was the leading receiver with two catches for 30 yards.
Keystone’s Horton rushed for 48 yards on six carries and completed 12 of 24 passes for 94 yards.
Anderson caught two passes for 33 yards.
