BROOKFIELD — Valley Christian head coach Andy Hake said. “Program wins.”
Despite Mother Nature’s best efforts to sabotage the game, the Eagles marred their first game at Brookfield’s new Campus Stadium on a rainy and stormy Friday night with a 23-6 win.
“All our elders, they didn’t panic.” Hake said. “It was a really great moment for our team. The guys worked hard. We talked about getting through this game and the guys were willing to make any sacrifice. We made some big plays and we had to do it. I’m just really proud of my guys. I don’t mean that to be arrogant. Brookfield is a tough team. We’ve played some good guys and they’re one of the better teams we’ll play this year. We were really focused on winning this game and I’m glad the kids did.”
Brookfield has been renovating the soccer field behind the middle school into a new football field in recent months, and the Warriors were scheduled to open their season at the new field, but delays in completing the construction meant the field was moved to Hubbard.
But after several more weeks, the Warriors’ new facility was fully unveiled on Friday, with the lights, bandstand and press box relocated from the old field at Addison Road and the home side bleachers expanded.
The Warriors played at the old George A. Nichols Field for 50 years before moving this season.
“It was a great experience” Brookfield head coach Randy Clark said. “I’m happy to be here and see all the work done. Although it’s not the (match result) we were hoping for, I’m proud of what the school has done for this place and I hope you all enjoyed it. Thanks to a lot of hard work and great support from the school committee, administration, outside vendors and businesses, we were able to make this place what it is.”
On the field, Brookfield didn’t get off to the best start against the Eagles.
Despite the Warriors’ kick being low, Valley Christian’s Ahmiah Dixon took the opening kickoff 80 yards to give the Eagles an early advantage.
After a Brookfield penalty, Valley Christian opted to go for two and converted to take an 8-0 lead. The Warriors’ penalties continued to pile up, giving them nine points on the night.
“Penalties” Clarke spoke about the difference in the game. “A lot of the penalties felt more one-sided than favorable to both sides, but hats off to Valley Christian. They played hard and physical, but I thought there were just too many penalties on our side.”
On the Warriors’ first possession, they took advantage of a short field after the short kickoff and Rico Smith scored on an 8-yard touchdown run from the wildcat formation to give Brookfield the lead, but the Warriors were unable to convert the ensuing two-point conversion that would have tied the game.
Brookfield got inside the opposing 10-yard line with just a few minutes left in the first half, but a fumble on a failed handoff handed the ball and momentum back to the Eagles.
Rain began falling midway through the first half and gradually got heavier by halftime, giving Valley Christian an 8-6 lead.
As the rain continued to fall and the field became increasingly wet, both teams relied almost exclusively on running attacks to move the ball.
The rain made it difficult to move the ball around, with both teams combining for four fumbles in the first half but only one turnover.
As soon as halftime began the storm rolled in and the game began to be delayed due to thunderstorms.
After a 30-minute delay, the second half began and after Brookfield finished off three consecutive offensive plays, the Eagles marched down the field and extended their lead with a Ja’Shawn Lindsay 2-yard touchdown run.
The Warriors’ turnover woes continued on their next drive on the first play of the fourth quarter, but the Eagles got away with it and quickly fought back.
“We just need to get back to work, get our plans in order and keep the players motivated.” Clark said. “The most important thing is to make them stronger. I think we’re playing softly. I think we need to be more physical.”
But Valley Christian’s defense remained strong and was able to give the ball back to their offensive line, at which point the Eagles capitalized when Dion Miller connected with Jerrell Miles for a 51-yard pass to end Lindsay’s second rushing touchdown of the game.
“We made some big plays with play-action.” Hake said. “The guy who got open made a great pass.”
Valley Christian was counting on Lindsay to step up in the game against Brookfield, and he lived up to those expectations, carrying the ball 32 times for 149 yards and two touchdowns.
“He’s a warrior.” “They knew No. 8 was going to get the pass,” Hake said, “and we just made a will out of it. Our line went all out for him and our wide receivers blocked.”
“If it had been a dry field, maybe this game would have played differently. I respect Randy Clark. I think he’s one of the best coaches in the area, and Brookfield is a very physical team. They’re very proud and they play hard, so I’m very proud of my guys. It was a great win for the kids.”
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