Northeast 49, Bradenton Southeast 7

By BRANDON WRIGHT, Times Staff Writer
Published September 22, 2007

BRADENTON - Make no mistake about it, Jeff Brinson loves his offensive linemen.

So much so that the senior tailback, who had spent the past three weeks torching Pinellas County defenses, felt compelled to mention each one by name after Friday's 49-7 thumping of Bradenton Southeast.

"I've got to talk about Pat Hanley, Steven Marshall, Jimmie Bush, Matt Khanthalangsy and Yosar Pacheco," Brinson said. "They just get it done up there.

"Basically, our offensive line is the Cadillac. And I'm just the passenger riding smooth."

Brinson finished with 313 yards on 22 carries and scored three touchdowns. It was Brinson's third 300-yard game among four outings and brings his season total to 1,162.

"He's a special player," Northeast coach Jay Austin said. "He's a 4.5 guy that weighs 212 pounds. I just love him to death."

Brinson had four runs of 40 or more yards, including an 80-yard touchdown that put the Vikings 4-0, 1-0 Class 4A, District 9 up for good at 14-7 in the second quarter.

He also punched in touchdowns from 3 and 2 yards, both during a 28-point third quarter that put a 21-7 halftime game out of reach.

"The O line just blocked their butts off," Brinson said. "It's not like it's easy, but it is a lot of fun."

The Vikings defense was equally impressive, allowing 107 yards, getting two sacks and forcing a fumble and eight punts.

"We were a little out of sorts in the first quarter when they got that score," Austin said. "Southeast has a ton of speed, but I thought our guys got after them pretty good from that point on."

Quarterback Armando Sanchez scored on two 1-yard runs while Juarez Wynn (7-yard run) and Darryl Copeland (1-yard run) rounded out the Northeast scoring. The win was the Vikings' second straight against the Seminoles (0-4, 0-1).

"Southeast is one fine program," Austin said of the team that has won two state titles. "We're just trying to get to where they've been."

Brandon Wright can be reached at bwright@sptimes.com or 892-2216.

Northeast 49 Bradenton Southeast 7

[Last modified September 22, 2007, 00:09:16]