Browning and Evermans Defense Up to the Task

EVERMAN- For the first time in 2009 the breaks that seemed to go Everman's way all the time in 2007 and 2008 went the Bulldogs way in a 63-0 rout of the Mansfield Legacy Broncos (3-3, 1-2) at Marr Stadium. Everman (5-1, 4-0) was flat out dominating on the defensive side of the ball holding Legacy to just 115 yards of total offense and forcing five turnovers. Barry Browning led the defensive effort for the Bulldogs with two interceptions but Aaron Bellazn, Jared Busby and sophomore DE Lincoln Richard all played big roles as well.

The normally potent Everman ground game was solid once again with 367 yards on the ground, junior RB Cory Franklin paced the Bulldogs with 172 yards and 3 touchdowns.

After forcing a Legacy three and out on their opening drive Everman wasted little time going to work scoring on a Franklin 24 yard run on just a five play drive to go up 7-0. After Browning's first interception the Bulldogs took advantage of the short field scoring on a six yard run by Shawn Sanders to make it 14-0 early in the second quarter. Legacy would turn the ball over once again as Everman DT Tevin Jenkins would recover a Broncos fumble and this time Franklin scored from 22 yards out and quickly the game was turning into a rout as the lead swelled to 21-0 EHS.

Legacy again had a miscue this time on the special teams end as a snap sailed over the punters head and J.T. Gales would be on the spot recovering the fumble in end zone for a 28-0 lead for the Bulldogs. The Broncos special teams didn't make up for the mistake as after the Everman defense forced another three and out a second snap sailed over the punters head setting the Bulldogs up at the LHS eight yard line. Ruben Fletcher would cap this short drive with a two yard plunge and a 35-0 advantage.

Browning would strike again late in the second quarter with his second interception and that would again lead to a Bulldogs touchdown as junior WB James Bailey scored on a 36 yard run to make it 42-0 Everman heading to halftime.

Everman's defense despite missing three starters made sure there would be no second half rally like last week against Crowley as they were able to preserve the shutout and not led the Broncos cross midfield. Franklin would chip in his third touchdown of the game on the first possession of the second half making it 49-0 EHS. Sanders would add two more touchdown runs to cap the rout at 63-0.

Everman next week will travel down to Stephenville to take on the Yellow Jackets in a battle for the lead in District 8-4A, while Mansfield Legacy will look to bounce back against Granbury at home at Newsome Stadium.