By Shirley Hatch, Branford News Publisher
The Branford Buccaneers capped a week long homecoming celebration with a resounding 49-0 victory over the previously unbeaten St. Francis Wolves.
The Bucs will remain undefeated with wins over Bell, St. Johns, Bronson and Jefferson County, and will host the Lafayette County Hornets on Friday. It will once again be a battle of the unbeaten, as the Hornets also have a perfect record, their latest victim being Chiefland by a score of 57-23.
The Buccaneers rushed the ball 52 times for 475 yards, while quarterback John Perry didn't put it in the air all night. The Bucs scored 14 points in each of the first three quarters leading 14-0: 28-0 and 42-0 before Coach Bill Wiles emptied the bench with reserves scoring only once in the final quarter.
Senior Tim Clark scored early on a 15 yard run with extra point kicker Kyle Certain splitting the uprights to give the Bucs 7-0 lead. Certain was 7 for 7 point after attempts, plus he took the pigskin in on a 6 yard run late in the third quarter. The Bucs other scores came on 22, 40 and a 49 yard touchdown runs by junior John Perry. Trent Thompson took the ball in on a 52 yard run, and Willie Clemons scored on a 9 yard run.
The Buccaneers defense rose to the occasion all night causing their opponent to give up the ball four times on punts, once on a fumble, and twice on interceptions. Willie Clemons and David Barrs were credited with the Bucs interceptions, while Alex Duroche got the fumble recovery.
Coach Wiles spoke of how well his team played. He said, "St. Francis was a much improved team over last year. We were just happy to go out in front quick and then play all our kids. It was a good homecoming victory."
John Perry was the Bucs leading rusher with 6 carries for 115 yards; Trent Thompson was 6 for 103 yards; Tim Clark 11 for 93; Wade Armstrong 9 of 57; Kyle Certain 5 for 35; Willie Clemons 3 for 44; Kyle Hudson 4 for 8 and Josh Kirby 8 for 10.
Clark and D. J. McWherter led the Buccaneer defense. Clark had 6 tackles, McWherter had 5. John Perry had 4; Matt Lambert and Certain 3 each.
After hosting the Hornets this Friday the Bucs will be on the road with the Bell Bulldogs and Hawthorne.
