BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Telegraph Staff Writer
Bradford High School’s girls flag football team has been proving itself to be as dominant as the school’s football team was, as the Tornadoes just recorded their sixth shutout, defeating host — and previously unbeaten — Keystone Heights 52-0 on March 28 to improve to 8-0.
The boys football team scored an average of 29 points per game, while allowing an average of six. The girls flag football team is scoring an average of 38 points, while allowing an average of three.
When the Tornadoes played Keystone, quarterback Ar’Nayshia Griffin had a game that would’ve fit right in with the Fun ‘n’ Gun offense that used to operate right down the road at the University of Florida. She threw five touchdown passes, including three to Khamyra Hankerson.
Bradford’s first score, though, came on a Griffin run. She then completed a pass to Hankerson on the conversion attempt for a 7-0 lead.
Griffin then made her mark on defense, intercepting a pass. That set up her touchdown pass to Nichelle Brown, making the score 13-0.
On the Indians’ ensuing possession, Bradford’s Ajiyah Jackson recorded sacks on two straight plays.
Keystone’s defense made a play the next time the Bradford offense had the ball. Alee Horton intercepted a pass in her own end zone as the Tornadoes threatened to score.
The Indians (5-1) got strong defensive play from Ella Hutchins on Bradford’s next offensive series. She made a tackle for a loss and pressured Griffin into throwing an incompletion on a third-down play.
Bradford’s offense would eventually get back on track, thanks to its defense.
A Brown interception led to a Hankerson touchdown reception and a 19-0 Bradford lead, while an Alexis Berry interception set the Tornadoes up for a Griffin touchdown run. Brown caught Griffin’s pass on the conversion attempt.
Brown then came up with her second interception of the second quarter. That led to a Hankerson touchdown reception. Keystone’s Kendall Gagnon broke up the pass play on the conversion attempt, but the Tornadoes took a 32-0 lead into halftime.
Hutchins made a touchdown-saving tackle when Brown hauled in a long pass on the first series of the second half. The Tornadoes would eventually find the end zone, with Griffin tossing a touchdown pass to Hankerson. The extra-point attempt was no good, as Lake Hovsepian tackled Griffin.
Bradford got a sack from Jada Hankerson, which forced Keystone to punt on its opening series of the half. Brown returned the punt for a touchdown. Griffin then hit Jada Hankerson with a pass on the conversion attempt, making the score 45-0.
The Indians finally began moving the ball, with Horton and Dezaray Bright each completing a pass to Whitnee Buchanan. Bright also completed a pass to Alana Anderson, which set up first-and-goal, but Keystone would eventually turn the ball over on downs.
Three plays later, Brown caught a long pass from Griffin and scored the final touchdown of the night. Talaysia Jackson had a successful run on the conversion attempt to end the scoring.
Bradford’s previous outing was a 47-0 win over visiting Baker County on March 14.
Griffin threw six touchdown passes, completing 19 of 22 attempts for 265 yards.
Brown had three of those touchdown receptions as she finished the night with seven catches in all for 120 yards.
Brown and Griffin even switched places, with Brown completing all three of her pass attempts for 40 yards, with Griffin catching two of those passes for 20 yards.
Kimber Woods had two touchdown receptions and finished with seven catches for 60 yards. Khamyra Hankerson caught one touchdown pass and had two catches in all for 50 yards.
Jada Hankerson caught three passes for 35 yards.
The Tornadoes didn’t have many rushing attempts, but Brown and Griffin continued to prove they can pick up big chunks of yardage. Brown gained 40 yards on four carries, while Griffin had 30 yards on three carries.
Brown and Griffin had an impact on defense as well, with each intercepting a pass.
Destiny Crum also had an interception.
Brown was a factor on special teams, too, as she returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown.
Bradford will host Florida High on Thursday, March 30, at 5 p.m. The Tornadoes then travel to Tallahassee for the annual Capital City Classic, which will be played over two days at the FSU Rec SportsPlex. Bradford begins play in the classic with a 5 p.m. matchup against Windmere on Friday, March 31.
The Tornadoes travel to St. Augustine to play Florida School for the Deaf and Blind on Monday, April 3, at 6 p.m.
Keystone will host Orange Park on Thursday, March 30, at 6 p.m. and Palatka on Tuesday, April 4, at 6 p.m.
Bradford and Keystone will meet each other again on Thursday, April 6, at 6 p.m. in Starke.
