HARRIS---For a while there, it seemed like old times for Bronco Nation.
The Bark River-Harris Broncos were heavy underdogs against the Forest Park Trojans, but there they were, playing good defense and actually leading on the scoreboard after the first 12 minutes of play.
It had to bring back memories of the BR-H teams that dominated Class D football in 2001, 2002, and 2003. And of Bronco playoff teams in 2008 and 2009.
The last three years have been tough for the Bronco program, with the boys putting up a 2-25 record during that time. But they showed signs Friday night of making a turnaround, despite falling to the Trojans, 39-6.
The first quarter belonged to the Broncos, however. The defense stopped the Trojans on a fourth-and-three play in BR-H territory. And then on the next series, the Broncos forced a fumble that was recovered by Kyle Kleiman.
And then the Bronco offense went to work.
Junior quarterback Jorden Sodergren found Kleiman open for a pass to the two yard line, and then one play later, Sodergren crossed the goal line for a 6-0 BR-H lead.
The Trojans responded quickly, though. On the first play of the second quarter, quarterback Jeff Johnson got loose for a 43-yard touchdown run to tie the game. And then on the next series, Johnson scored again from six yards out to make it 12-6.
The BR-H offense continued to sputter, and when the Broncos punted, Forest Park senior Austin Snell raced up field 65 yards for a touchdown. After the two-point pass was good, the Trojans went to the locker room with a 20-6 lead.
When the second half began, Snell struck again...this time for a 55-yard run that broke the game open, just 16 seconds into the third quarter.
Trojans junior Lee Graff returned a Bronco fumble 70 yards for another score, and then Snell closed the scoring with a three-yard touchdown run 45 seconds into the fourth quarter.
Bark River-Harris travels to Pickford next Friday night. The junior varsity game starts at 5:00, with the varsity game to follow at 7:30.
Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see 20 photos and eight video highlights from Friday night's game.
The Bark River-Harris Broncos were heavy underdogs against the Forest Park Trojans, but there they were, playing good defense and actually leading on the scoreboard after the first 12 minutes of play.
BR-H punter Kyle Erickson gets rid of it.
The last three years have been tough for the Bronco program, with the boys putting up a 2-25 record during that time. But they showed signs Friday night of making a turnaround, despite falling to the Trojans, 39-6.
The first quarter belonged to the Broncos, however. The defense stopped the Trojans on a fourth-and-three play in BR-H territory. And then on the next series, the Broncos forced a fumble that was recovered by Kyle Kleiman.
And then the Bronco offense went to work.
Jorden Sodergren scores a TD for BR-H.
The Trojans responded quickly, though. On the first play of the second quarter, quarterback Jeff Johnson got loose for a 43-yard touchdown run to tie the game. And then on the next series, Johnson scored again from six yards out to make it 12-6.
BR-H's Alex Emmes (left) gets the hand off from quarterback Jorden Sodergren.
When the second half began, Snell struck again...this time for a 55-yard run that broke the game open, just 16 seconds into the third quarter.
Trojans junior Lee Graff returned a Bronco fumble 70 yards for another score, and then Snell closed the scoring with a three-yard touchdown run 45 seconds into the fourth quarter.
Bark River-Harris travels to Pickford next Friday night. The junior varsity game starts at 5:00, with the varsity game to follow at 7:30.
Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see 20 photos and eight video highlights from Friday night's game.
Forest Park quarterback Jeff Johnson has his team to the line during Friday night's game in Harris.
