Brossart capitalizes on takeaways to defeat Dayton in first round of Class 1A football playoffs

By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter

Scoring touchdowns following defensive takeaways was a common occurrence during Brossart’s 35-14 win over Dayton in a first-round game of the Class 1A football playoffs on Friday in Alexandria.

The Mustangs did that three times to account for most of their points and came away with a first-round playoff victory on a chilly night in early November for the third straight year.

*Brossart ball carrier Brady Boruske slips past Dayton defensive players during their Class 1A playoff game. (Photo by Justin Reckner)*

“Our coach preaches to us about discipline,” said Brossart senior linebacker Quintin Tischner. “That’s all we needed was just discipline and to play our roles. We played our game and let them make the mistakes.”

In the first half, Brossart recovered fumbles at the Dayton 29 and 38 yard lines that led to touchdowns.

Early in the fourth quarter, Tischner picked off a pass and returned it to the Dayton 39-yard line. Four plays later, Brossart quarterback Landon Spaulding scored on an 8-yard run to seal the victory.

Those were three of the four turnovers that sidetracked Dayton’s offense after getting off to a good start. The Greendevils opened the game with a 57-yard touchdown drive and took a 14-8 lead on a 40-yard TD run by Kaden Anderson with 1:44 left in first quarter.

“Turnovers killed us,” said Dayton coach Jesse Herbst. “At any level, you cannot win with four (turnovers) or even three … and (Brossart) capitalized on them big time. Take care of the ball is what we had to do. We cannot give up scores like we did.”

*Dayton quarterback Mykah Foster gets stopped by Brossart defensive players. (Photo by Justin Reckner)*

After getting only four yards on its first possession, Brossart’s offense played very well. In addition to scoring off the three takeaways, the Mustangs put together touchdowns drives that covered 63 yards in the second quarter and 52 yards in the third quarter.

“When we’re all on the same page and play hard as one team, these guys can do just about anything,” said Brossart’s first-year head coach Jacob Martin.

Brossart senior quarterback Landon Spaulding had three rushing touchdowns and connected with Brady Boruske on a 39-yard scoring pass. The Mustangs got most of their yardage on the ground using multiple ball carriers.

“We’re trying to spread the ball around,” coach Martin said. “We’ve been working on it the past three weeks. We’re not fully there yet, but we’re making strides in our running game.”

Brossart will play Newport Central Catholic in the second round of the Class 1A playoffs for the third consecutive year. NewCath won the previous two games by scores of 42-21 and 41-14, but the Mustangs are looking forward to the rematch under coach Martin.

“We have this new culture this year that’s ingrained in us,” Tischner said. “His big role was changing the culture of Brossart football, making it into something he believes is going to excel and make us into something great. We’ve all taken that up pretty well.”

DAYTON 14 0 0 0 — 14
BROSSART 8 13 7 7 — 35

D — Anthony Hull 30-yard pass from Mykah Foster (Elias Lopez Torres run)
B — Landon Spaulding 5-yard run (Quintin Tischner pass from Spaulding)
D — Kaden Anderson 40-yard run (run failed)
B — Spaulding 1-yard run (run failed)
B — Brady Boruske 39-yard pass from Spaulding (Ryan Eldridge kick)
B — Tommy Busby 4-yard run (Eldridge kick)
B — Spaulding 8-yard run (Eldridge kick)
RECORDS: Dayton 8-3, Brossart 7-4.