BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Monetrez Aldridge threw three touchdown passes for the Bradford High School junior varsity football team, which built a 28-0 lead over visiting Bishop Kenny on Sept. 25 before the game was called due to lightning with approximately four minutes remaining until halftime.
The Tornadoes entered the game with a 4-0 record, having defeated Ridgeview 22-0 on Aug. 28, Trinity Christian 14-6 on Sept. 4, Clay 30-6 on Sept. 11 and Specially Fit Academy 44-6 on Sept. 18.
Bradford got off to a quick start against winless Bishop Kenny, as Eden Carabello caught a pass from Aldridge on the game’s first play from scrimmage and took it the distance for a 48-yard touchdown to put the home team up 6-0. The two-point conversion attempt was no good.
The Crusaders picked up two first downs on their first series, but Bradford got big defensive plays from Jareem Jenkins, who made a tackle for a 2-yard loss, and Greyson McClellan, who broke up a pass on a third-down play. Bishop Kenny went for it on fourth-and-5 at the Bradford 44, with Jenkins sacking quarterback T.J. Belton for a 4-yard loss.
Peyton Jones carried the ball for a 7-yard gain on the first play following the turnover on downs, while a 9-yard run by Damarion Dodd gave Bradford a first down at the Bishop Kenny 36. On third-and-4, Aldridge kept the ball for a 17-yard gain to the 13. Dodd capped the drive with a 10-yard touchdown run, making it 12-0 with 2:08 to play in the first quarter. The two-point play failed.
Bishop Kenny’s next possession went in the wrong direction, with Bradford’s Braxton Durant sacking Belton for a 4-yard loss and a fumble resulting in a 14-yard loss. A short punt was returned 21 yards by Jones, setting the Tornadoes up with a first-and-goal at the 4-yard line.
Bradford cashed in, with Jones catching a 2-yard touchdown pass at the 9:55 mark of the second quarter. Dodd’s run on the two-point conversion made the score 20-0.
The Tornadoes’ Andy Gomez came up with an interception on the Crusaders’ ensuing series, but Bradford gave the ball right back when Bishop Kenny’s Tristan Lackovich made an interception. The Crusaders, however, were backed up inside their own 10-yard line and punted after three straight run plays.
Jones returned the punt 35 yards for a touchdown, but a penalty called the play back, giving the Bradford offense the ball at the Bishop Kenny 43. Aldridge, who rushed for 48 yards on three carries, had a 28-yard run to the 15. The next play saw the quarterback hook up with Dillon Ruise in the end zone for a touchdown with 4:09 remaining in the first half. Dodd’s successful run on the two-point play made it 28-0.
Aldridge was 3-of-7 passing for 65 yards.
Bradford rushed for 75 yards on just seven carries. Dodd rushed for 20 yards on three attempts, while Jones had one carry for 7 yards.
The Tornadoes’ final game will take place Thursday, Oct. 2, at Newberry at 6:30 p.m.
