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Run-driven Brooks too tough for Payton

10/26/2012, 11:45pm CDT
By Clyde Travis

Cleveland Clark and Josh Smith each rushed for over 100 yards as Brooks rolled past Payton 49-14 in a Class 4A first-round game Friday at Lane.

Cleveland Clark and Josh Smith each rushed for over 100 yards as Brooks rolled past Payton 49-14 in a Class 4A first-round game Friday at Lane. 

"We controlled the game defensively and we had too much speed for them offensively," Brooks coach James Brown said. "They are a class program and did not stop playing until the final whistle. Josh was a difference-maker out there. He kept us playing at a very high level."

Brooks (7-2) opened the scoring on a 60-yard run by quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw with 7:32 remaining in the first quarter. After Payton punted 55 yards to the Brooks 5-yard line, Clark scored a 95-yard run to push the lead to 14-0.

The Eagles continued to bite off long chunks of yards on long runs. Dakota Starks scored from 45 yards out and Smith outran Grizzlies defenders for a 50-yard touchdown with 3:42 remaining in the second quarter to put Brooks ahead 28-0.

Payton took advantage of a Brooks fumble on the 25-yard line and scored two plays later as quarterback Alex Bressler connected with Juan Aguirre on a pass in the corner of the end zone late in the second quarter.

The defense made the lead stand as Smith returned an interception 28 yards for a touchdown with 10:38 remaining in the third quarter. Zeriam Jackson's 90-yard interception return to the 5-yard line set up a five-yard touchdown run by Bradshaw. The Eagles closed out the scoring with a two-yard dive by Dyllan Harris.

Bressler scored added a one-yard touchdown run for Payton (7-2).

Clark finished with 123 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown, Smith had nine rushes for 115 yards and a touchdown and Bradshaw ran for 76 yards and two touchdowns on five carries. The defense was paced by Smith, who had nine tackles, a sack, and an interception for a touchdown. John McClain (two sacks), Egypt Johnson, and Harris added eight tackles apiece for the Eagles.

"They beat us to the edges," Payton coach Tony Faltin said.  "I see them going all the way. They are well coached and have great speed. 

'We lost 19 seniors last year and we have 11 freshmen on the roster this year and we're back here.  I'm very proud of what we have accomplished."
 

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