Tuscarora girls flag football breaks through with 33-19 win over Catoctin
A new offensive system helped Tuscarora erupt for its first points and first win of the season as quarterback Brynn Bradshaw threw for 271 yards and four touchdowns.
HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW
Tuscarora beat Catoctin 33-19. It was Tuscarora’s first win of the season. The Titans had been shut out in their first three games. Brynn Bradshaw completed 20 of 34 passes for 271 yards. Bradshaw threw four touchdown passes. Emma Rosales scored on a 55-yard reception. Abena Adu returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown. Layla Curtis had four catches for 82 yards. Catoctin quarterback Abby Morlan threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns. Tuscarora intercepted four passes.
Tuscarora girls flag football spent the first three games of the season searching for offense.
On Wednesday night, the Titans found it.
Behind a newly installed system and the best high school performance yet from sophomore quarterback Brynn Bradshaw, Tuscarora defeated Catoctin 33-19 for its first victory of the season.
The breakthrough came early in the second quarter.
Bradshaw launched a jump ball that was tipped by a Catoctin defender but remained in the air long enough for senior receiver Emma Rosales to make the catch. Rosales turned upfield, escaped the pursuit and raced 55 yards for a touchdown.
It was Tuscarora’s first score of the season after being shut out in each of its first three games.
The Titans entered the week dealing with more than offensive struggles.
Head coach Mike O’Brien took an unexpected medical leave, with Michaela Persinger taking over as interim head coach. Tuscarora also dramatically changed the way it called and structured offensive plays.
The Titans turned to Bradshaw’s father, Andy Bradshaw, to help design the new system and call plays. The approach emphasized more spacing, quicker passes and crossing routes instead of relying so heavily on deep throws.
The adjustment paid off immediately.
Bradshaw completed 20 of 34 passes for 271 yards and threw four touchdowns.
In addition to Rosales’ 55-yard score, Bradshaw connected with freshman Amaya Darrell for an 18-yard touchdown, sophomore Channing Brown for a 5-yard go-ahead score and senior Layla Curtis for a 34-yard insurance touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
Curtis finished with four receptions for 82 yards.
Senior Abena Adu provided another explosive play with a 65-yard punt return touchdown.
Catoctin made Tuscarora work for the win.
Freshman quarterback Abby Morlan completed 21 of 33 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns.
She connected with senior running back Bralyn West for a 28-yard touchdown and found senior receiver Kaydense Cox for scores of 58 and 3 yards.
Cox led all players with 132 receiving yards, while West finished with 71.
The teams combined for 610 total yards in a high-scoring game that stayed competitive into the second half.
Tuscarora’s defense ultimately made the difference.
Adu, Allie Miranda, Melysa Morales Lazaro and Tiana Shelton each recorded an interception. Miranda also had two fourth-quarter sacks as the Titans stopped several late Catoctin drives.
The victory improved Tuscarora to 1-3, while Catoctin fell to 1-4.
For a team that had not scored a point entering the night, the offensive explosion represented a dramatic change in less than a week.
WHAT IT MEANS
Tuscarora did more than finally win a game.
The Titans found an offensive identity.
After failing to score in three straight contests, the new system produced explosive plays, quicker decisions from Bradshaw and contributions from several receivers.
If the Titans continue to become more comfortable with the new scheme, Wednesday’s performance could mark a significant turning point in their season.
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