BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Telegraph Staff Writer
Head Coach Jamie Rodgers felt his team’s performance was lacking in some areas during its 27-0 homecoming win on Oct. 14, which is understandable, as it’s a week that brings a lot of distractions. In talking to his players afterward, he emphasized the quest for perfection moving forward.
The coach didn’t have much to squabble with on Oct. 21 as the top-ranked Class 2S Bradford High School football team defeated visiting Dunnellon 44-0.
Bradford, which travels to play Palatka on Friday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m., scored 37 points in the first half — a half that saw the Tornadoes’ defense hold the 19th-ranked Class 2S Tigers to minus-24 yards and no first downs.
When it was all said and done, Dunnellon (5-3) had minus-26 yards and three first downs. Two of those first downs were the result of penalties.
On offense, the Tornadoes (8-0) scored touchdowns on four of their first six possessions, with quarterback Jeremiah McKenzie rushing for two and passing for another. The defense added a score on a pick-six by Devon McBride, while special teams got into the act as well, with Brandon Williams making a tackle for a safety.
“That was as about a complete game as I can remember seeing,” Rodgers said. “It was a lot of fun to watch. That first half was about as good as it gets all the way around.”
It was the seventh shutout for the Bradford defense, which ties the school record held by the 1964 team.
Rodgers has gotten to the point where he’s almost at a loss for words when it comes to what his team is doing defensively.
“I don’t know what to talk about when it comes to that,” he said. “They just love each other, and they love to play hard on defense.
“The offense is the same way. They love it, too, but it just happens it’s the string of shutouts (that gets the attention). It’s a little bit insane.”
It wasn’t all good news for Bradford, as senior running back Manny Covey — a University of Cincinnati commit — suffered a leg injury on the third play from scrimmage that likely put an end to his season. He entered the game with approximately 600 yards rushing and nine touchdowns.
“He probably won’t be back,” Rodgers said. “My heart hurts for him because he loves these guys so much, and he wants to be here, but the future’s really bright for him. He’s going to go to Cincinnati. He’s going to excel there. He’s going to get a degree. Then, who knows what the future holds for him? He’s going to be successful no matter what it is.”
The game got off to an explosive start with Dae’Jon Shanks returning the opening kickoff 42 yards to the Dunnellon 45. McKenzie picked up one first down with his legs and later threw a short pass to Chalil Cummings, who took it 17 yards for another first down at the 11-yard line. McKenzie then carried for a 6-yard gain before crossing the goal line from 5 yards out at the 8:36 mark of the first quarter. Hayden Hughes added the PAT for a 7-0 lead.
Hughes was successful on all seven of his extra-point attempts.
Dunnellon’s offense netted minus-15 yards on its first two series, with Torin Brazell making two tackles for loss and Bryson Bowen recording a 15-yard sack.
The Tornadoes made 10 tackles in all behind the line of scrimmage, while making another six for no gain.
Dunnellon had only 10 plays that resulted in a positive gain.
Bradford’s third offensive series began at the Dunnellon 6 after a 34-yard punt return by Shanks. One play was all the Tornadoes needed to increase their lead, with Shanks taking a handoff into the end zone with 2:33 to play in the first quarter. After Hughes’ PAT, it was 14-0.
Shanks finished with 82 all-purpose yards.
The next time the Tornadoes had the ball, they were starting a drive in their own territory for the first time. That made little difference as Willie Pollard’s 50-yard run set up an eventual 5-yard touchdown run by McKenzie, capping a four-play, 65-yard drive approximately one minute into the second quarter.
Pollard led all rushers with 101 yards on nine carries.
Dunnellon’s first possession of the second quarter was like every possession it had in the first. A tackle by Bowen for no gain, a 3-yard sack by Trente Jenkins and a quarterback pressure by Will Lusignan forced the Tigers to punt from their own 17-yard line. A bad snap resulted in the punter getting tackled by Williams in the end zone for a safety at the 9:36 mark of the second quarter, making the score 23-0.
Pollard returned the ensuing free kick approximately 50 yards to the Dunnellon 20, but a holding penalty wiped out the big gain and put the Bradford offense at its own 34. Three plays later, the Tigers intercepted a McKenzie pass.
The Tornadoes returned the favor three plays later, with McBride getting a pick and returning it approximately 40 yards for a touchdown and a 30-0 lead with 6:58 remaining in the second quarter.
Dunnellon’s third play on the following series resulted in another interception — this time by Jametrius Pringle. That gave Bradford the ball at the Tigers’ 16-yard line. Two plays later, McKenzie threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Brazell. Bradford led 37-0 with 4:34 remaining until halftime.
McKenzie finished with 27 yards on 2-of-3 passing, while adding 20 yards rushing on eight carries.
The second half was played with a running clock, which resulted in two possessions for each team.
Bradford added its last score on a eight-play, 47-yard drive. Brian Cliffin, who rushed for 20 yards on four carries, picked up two first downs before Williams, in at quarterback, completed a 32-yard touchdown pass to Michael Oliver on a fourth-and-17 play.
Dunnellon, with the help of two 15-yard penalties, drove into the red zone on its final drive. However, the defense responded with Brazell coming up with two sacks. McBride then intercepted his second pass of the game to preserve the shutout.
McBride’s pick was the 14th turnover created by the Bradford defense this season. Of those turnovers, 11 have been interceptions.
Bradford now travels to Palatka for the game that will decide the District 6 championship. If the Tornadoes win, they automatically qualify for the Region 2 playoffs.
It was almost a battle of unbeatens, but Palatka (7-1) lost 27-15 to Fernandina Beach on Oct. 21.
Each team is 2-0 against District 6 competition.
