Saturday Sept. 7, the (2-0) Braves visited the (0-2) Shaw Bears. The Braves looked to keep their record perfect as they made a pit stop in Raleigh.
The Braves started out slow in the first half being outscored 13-10. Shaw put points on the scoreboard late in the first quarter.
The Black and Gold managed to get into field goal range and the foot of Matt Davis got the Braves on the board.
Going into the second quarter the Braves found the end zone with Cliff Jones’ monster 7-yard touchdown run.
Shaw would score soon after, but the Black and Gold special teams unit came in with a clutch field goal block.
This would send the Braves into the half down 13-10. Head Coach Shane Richardson must have given the Braves the motivation and second half preparation that they needed.
The Braves came out hitting on all cylinders in the second half.
“Hand Cannon” Patrick O’Brien would connect with the reliable All-American Senior B.J. Bunn for a long 48-yard touchdown pass putting the Black and Gold up 17-13.
The Braves defense put on a lockdown performance which would lead to the Braves scoring on a four play 25-yard touchdown drive with a time of possession of 1:57 Patrick O’Brien would punch it in and put fuel onto the fire making the score 24-13.
Rontonio Stanley would get in on the festivities and boost the lead to 31-13 taking the Braves into the final quarter of play.
Shaw would not lay down easily and tried to manage a early-fourth quarter surge putting one last and final touchdown on the board.
The extra point was a failure for the Bears and they only came away with six points the score stood at 31-19.
Late in the fourth quarter the visiting team would put the final nail in the Shaw Bears coffin with another long-ball from Patrick O’Brien. Rick Mack would be the receiver called for the 35-yard bomb.
The score would stand at 38-19 keeping the Braves at a perfect 3-0 record.
Stats
Bunn had a solid outing for the Braves. Off of six receptions Bunn was able to accumulate 105 yard of receiving.
The Black and Gold had production from three different running backs. Rontonio Stanley, Miles Grant and Cliff Jones each rushed for over 50 yards in the game.
Stanley led all rushers for the Braves in yards with 66 and also punched in a score.
O’Brien was aggressive all game, which led to five interceptions but he still threw for 257 yards with two touchdowns.
On defense the Braves were led by Kaleel Hollis who recorded a game high 5 solo tackles.
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