By Todd Taylor
By no means has the Brownsburg football team had an easy road to the regional tournament.
The Bulldogs defeated No. 14 ranked Zionsville in the sectional semifinal and blasted Avon — a team that knocked off No. 12 Ben Davis and No. 8 Pike — in the sectional championship game. Both victories were on the road.
But now it gets even more difficult.
To become one of the four Class 5A teams left standing the Bulldogs (9-3) will have to knock off No. 3 ranked Warren Central in Friday’s regional round. The good news is the Bulldogs will play host and natural grass has slowed the Warriors (10-2) this season.
“Believe me, we are happy to be home,” Brownsburg coach Brett Comer said. “They are a big, strong, athletic football team there’s no doubt about it.”
The Warriors have a storied program that won four consecutive state titles from 2003-06, but Comer isn’t worried about the past.
“It’s kind of like us winning our first sectional title in 24 years … our kids don’t care about that,” Comer said. “We’re very respectful of who we are playing but we always are, we play in a very good conference.”
To defeat Warren Central, Brownsburg will need its offense to continue its torrid pace. The Bulldogs have averaged 31 points in their last two contests and piled up 406 yards in their 42-14 victory over Avon Friday. Quarterback Robby Robbins led the way in that game rushing for four touchdowns, and throwing for another.
Comer said his team’s win over the Orioles was its best effort of the season.
“We had 406 yards of offense against a good football team and took a shutout into the fourth quarter,” he said. “We played well in all three phases. It was the most complete game we’ve played this year.”
One of the Bulldogs’ strengths is their offense can come from several different places. Six Bulldogs have scored at least three touchdowns for the team this season – Robbins (10 rushing, 10 passing), Darryl Jordan (10 rushing), Charles Torwudzo (six receiving), Gus Ervin (four rushing), Kennedy Hill (four rushing), and Levi Roach (three receiving).
“The good thing about our offense is it’s not just one guy that is the guy,” Comer said. “We have some weapons out there. I know we have their coaches’ attention, but I’m not sure we have their players’ attention.”
Brownsburg’s defense has been stout this season — allowing just 9.3 points per game in the postseason —and will have its hands full Friday.
Warriors’ running back Shakir Bell has eclipsed 2,000 rushing yards on the season, while quarterback Derek Hart has thrown for more than 1,000 yards.
Bell ran for two touchdowns and 155 yards on 30 carries in Warren’s 28-14 victory over Lawrence Central Friday.
“Their running back is what makes them go and they are huge up front,” Comer said. “They are going to try to overwhelm us early. That’s a big part of it … how we come out.”
Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Friday at Brownsburg High School.
todd.taylor@flyergroup.com
