Preps

Brandon 49, Durant 38

By CHRIS MOORE, Times Correspondent
Published September 29, 2007

BRANDON - The sky was clear at McClane Stadium Friday night, but a thunder and lightning duo dazzled the crowd.

Brandon's backfield of bruiser Marquel Gilmore and shifty Samir Baker combined for seven touchdowns and 318 rushing yards on 29 carries to lead Brandon's victory in an offensive shootout.

"We were firing on all cylinders," said Eagles head coach John Lima.

The game was back and forth all night. Brandon led 28-17 at the half thanks to two touchdowns in the final minute - a 90-yard run by Gilmore and a 25-yard score by Baker.

But two botched punts to start the third quarter gave the Cougars possession deep in Eagles' territory and led to two Ryan Rice touchdown runs.

Rice, who finished with 126 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 26 carries, put Durant ahead 38-28 early in the fourth quarter.

But Brandon didn't back down. Baker scored twice and Gilmore added another to give the Eagles the thrilling win.

"We've lost some games like that in the fourth quarter and it's no fun," said Durant head coach Mike Gottman.

Brandon quarterback Tracey Burr completed 11 of 17 passes for 191 yards, including a 32-yard touchdown toss to Baker.

Gilmore had three touchdowns and finished with 166 yards on 13 carries.

Baker ended up with four scores and 230 total yards - 78 through the air and 152 on the ground on 16 carries.

"We had a gut check late in the third quarter," Lima said "and we stepped up."

[Last modified September 29, 2007, 00:31:42]