Football: Brentwood win sets up rematch with Independence in second round

Brentwood had little issue handling McGavock and advancing to the second round of the Class 6A state playoffs Friday night at home.

The Region 6 top-seeded Bruins (9-2) set up a rematch against Independence, the only team that beat them in the region this season, with a 31-11 win over the Raiders (3-8).

Brentwood overcame two turnovers in the win on the strength of its defense.

McGavock was only allowed 185 total yards, just 39 of those coming on four pass completions, and it was successful on four of 12 third-down attempts.

Two Cade Granzow touchdowns – one passing to Carter McKechnie and another rushing – and a Tabor Miller field goal as time expired in the second quarter gave the Bruins a 17-0 halftime lead.

That’s all the Bruins would need.

“We need to start better, but overall, I am pleased with the 17-0 halftime lead,” BHS head coach Ron Crawford said. “We have either been tied or behind in eight of our 10 games, so very happy to get out in front tonight. 

“We did a good job defensively, pressured a punt to get us good field position; I was pleased with the first half and the way we played.”

Michael Burke added a 30-yard rushing score in the third quarter before McGavock finally got on the board with a field goal, and Burke put the icing on the cake with another TD, this time of 6 yards.

The Raiders added a late score, but it was far too little.

Burke was the leader offensively for Brentwood, rushing 21 times for 122 yards and two scores. 

“The offensive line made it look easy,” he said. “All credit to them. The coaches had a good game plan, we executed and we did our job.”

Brentwood’s offensive line, not to mention the team and school community as a whole, has been going through a lot the past few weeks with the death of senior tackle Lucas Davis.

They played while thinking of their brother Friday night.

“It’s always going to be different without Lucas, and there’s more weight on my and everyone’s shoulders without him,” lineman Hunter Harrison said. “Everyone has to step up for Lucas.

“A lot of people filling in gaps [on the line], young kids stepping up to help out. Everyone is filling in their part to help out on the line.”

Granzow added 49 yards on the ground to go with an 11-for-18 night passing with 142 yards and a score.

The Bruins will host Independence (6-5), the third seed out of Region 6, in the second round. 

The Eagles beat Smyrna 33-14 on Friday and also handed Brentwood its only loss this season in the region, 42-31, on Sept. 28 at BHS. 

“It’s a great opportunity to play them again,” Crawford said. “First half in that game, we did not slow them down at all. We will have to play a much better game, but we are excited about it. We will need a better plan and to execute it better.”