TOUGH OPENER FOR BRAVES

    The Britton-Hecla had a tough beginning to its season on Friday as second-ranked Hamlin rolled to a 52-0 win on its home field that ended on the 50-point rule with 39 seconds remaining in the third period.
    Coach Jacob Skogstad’s club will host Leola-Frederick, a 60-7 winner over Redfield in its opener, on Friday at 7 p.m.
    “Hamlin was a very tough football team,” said Skogstad.  “I thought we had some opportunities offensively to put points on the board, but we didn’t execute the way I feel like we are capable of. Defensively, we need to be better tacklers moving forward. We gave them a ton of extra yards not getting off of blocks and missing tackles.”
    The Braves’ boss is hoping his squad learned some things that it can apply against Leola-Frederick in the home opener on Friday.
    “We learned a lot in that opener, the main thing is to finish every play. We had opportunities both offensively and defensively to make splash plays, but we didn’t finish as a group collectively.
    “Against Leola-Frederick our defense needs to be sound and tackle,” added Skogstad. “They run a lot of power and misdirection plays to get their backs in open space. Our linebackers are going to have to read their keys and tackle well. Offensively, we need to establish ourselves and stay ahead of the chains. It is really difficult for any football team to convert on third and long. We were in third and long situations far too often on Friday night, and it showed with a lot of three and outs.”
    Yards were hard to come by for the Braves against the Chargers, while the home team scored took advantage of a number of big plays in amassing a 327-71 yardage advantage.  Hamlin had a balanced attack with 181 yards rushing (12.9 average) and 146 via the airways (20.9 average).  Britton-Hecla had 55 rushing, averaging just 2.1 yards per attempt and was just 1-10 passing for 16 yards.
    The Chargers scored on three of its four possessions in the opening period with drives of 64, 71, and 43 yards to take charge early with a 22-0 lead at the break.  Hamlin also found paydirt on its first two possessions of the second quarter, while Braves failed to pick up a first down until six minutes remained in the second stanza.
    Skogstad’s crew did manage a couple of second quarter drives and advanced into Hamlin territory on both occasions, but an incomplete pass on fourth down and an interception ended the threats and the Chargers led 38-0 at intermission.
    Hamlin scored with just under three minutes gone in the third period to go on top 44-0 and then ended the game early with 39 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
    Quarterback Jace Rein was the Braves’ leading rusher with 26 yards on six carries and Dashel Davidson ran for 14 on four tries.  Daniel Person caught the one pass for 16 yards.  Davidson led the B-H defensive effort with four tackles.