By Devin McCullough
The Braves football team annihilated the West Liberty Hilltoppers 67-20 in a spectacular victory Saturday afternoon. Collin Johnson, the star of Saturday’s lopsided victory, led the Braves record-breaking performance with seven passing touchdowns breaking the school record that he originally set last season throwing six against Wheeling University. Johnson also set the single-game record for most passing yards in a game as well.
The Braves broke multiple records with their performance scoring a total of 9 touchdowns, the most as a team in a single game, as well as the Braves totaling 675 yards of total offensive yards which also broke a school record, dating back to 2011 which was 668 yards of total offense. The Braves also had the most touchdown passes thrown in a game as a team with 8, and 7 of them being from Johnson.
The Braves had an amazing script to the onset of the game forcing a 3 and out on the first drive and capitalizing immediately on a 7-play 62-yard drive that ended in Johnson first passing touchdown of the day to Que Kennedy on a 5-yard slant route.
The Braves defense would get off the field quickly allowing only one first down, as the Hilltoppers were forced to punt giving the Braves offense the ball again. The Braves offense displayed a balanced attack featuring the running game between Jaquan Kelly and Jaquan Albright on their second drive. Huge chunk plays on the ground along with the potent air assault led to Kelly punching it in from the 1-yard line to put the Braves up 2 possessions early with just about 5 minutes to go in the first quarter.
The stifling Braves defense got off the field very swiftly after another 3 and out before turnovers happened for both teams. Quarterbacks for both teams were intercepted on their first pass attempts of the drive. D’Marcus Harringtion would get his second pick of the season, giving the Braves the ball back. The Braves offense stalled with a quick 3 and out nearing the end of the first quarter with a 13-0 lead.
The Hilltoppers began moving the ball on their fifth drive of the game utilizing the air attack, as well as the ground attack leading to a 14-yard touchdown pass making the score 13-7.
On the Braves next drive, Johnson would immediately test the Hilltoppers secondary with an explosive 62-yard toss to Que Kennedy for his second touchdown of the day, signs of big things to come in the air for the Braves.
The Braves would force a turnover on downs on their next defensive drive, where the Braves could continue their hot streak on offense with favorable field position already in Hilltoppers territory. Johnson would soon make an A-plus throw from 33-yards out to Josh Jenkins to put the Braves up 27-7 halfway through the first half.
The Braves defense continues to suffocate the Hilltoppers offense forcing another 3 and out. The Hilltoppers had to punt once again. The Braves offense would capitalize off the Braves defense gifts that kept on giving. Johnson threw his fourth touchdown of the day to Josiah Hayes from 40-yards out. The Braves were comfortable with a 33-7 lead with 02:43 on the game clock in the first half.
The Hilltoppers entered a two minute offense and made a 60-yard pass play between 2 Brave defenders to make the score 33-14 heading into half.
The Braves were set to receive the ball to begin the second half and the offense picked up right where they left it in the first half. Johnson was perfect going 4-for-4 for 55 yards and threw another touchdown to put the Braves up 40-14 to begin the half.
The Hilltoppers next drive was hampered by the Braves defense once again, forcing another punt. The Braves would actually trade punts with the Hilltoppers the next drive with 06:41 in the third quarter. Evan Powell would intercept the Hilltoppers near midfield on their next drive giving the Braves offense another possession, where four plays later, Johnson would be throwing another touchdown pass to Josh Jenkins from 21-yards out, making the score 47-14.
The Braves offensive starters would start the fourth quarter going on another scoring drive where Josiah Hayes would run it in from the 1-yard line to increase the Braves lead 54-14. The Braves defense would make the play of the day, immediately forcing a strip sack fumble by Marquis Raspberry and Laden Ford recovering it to stop any momentum the Hilltoppers thought they had.
The Braves would easily go 85-yards to put up another touchdown on a jet pass from Johnson to Jaquan Albright to put the Braves up 60-14 after a missed PAT.
Backup quarterback Tre Robinson would enter the game, making it look easy, capping off a 50-yard 5-play drive with another passing touchdown for the Braves to EJ Gattling putting the Braves up 67-14, in a clinic by the entire Braves Team and coaches.
The Hilltoppers would gain possession nearing the 2-minute warning and score a last second touchdown to make the final score 67-20, with the Braves victorious.
Johnson spread the wealth with 3 receivers having over 100-yard games and all 3 receivers having 2 touchdown receptions to go along with that. Que Kennedy led the team with 8 catches for 130 yards and 2 touchdowns. Josiah Hayes and Josh Jenkins had huge contributions as well.
Johnson would finish the day with a whopping 29-for-43 on passing attempts throwing for 514 yards and 7 touchdowns with 2 interceptions.
The defense was another big story, holding the Hilltoppers to under 5-yards a play. The Braves defense totaled 5 sacks forcing 3 turnovers, making it a huge day collectively for the Braves. D’Marcus Harrington was all over the field recording a sack and an interception, and also having a deflection that resulted in another interception. The Braves were near perfect.
The Braves (2-4, 2-2 MEC) winners of 2 in a row will travel to Fairmont State University (3-3, 2-2 MEC) for another conference game on October 19th at noon.