Starke Fl- There was one more play that Bradford needed, and the ball was in quarterback Daejon Shank’s hands. Said Shanks after the game, “no one else was going to touch the football on that play, just put it on six” said the senior athlete. Six happens to be Shank’s jersey number. Trailing Pensacola Catholic 21 to 20 in overtime, and with one untimed down, Bradford would indeed put it on Shanks.
The snap went directly to the quarterback, right after several up-backs shifted to the left side. Shanks then followed his blockers to the 1-inch line, stale-mating with 6 foot, 230 pound Crusader linebacker Courtney Clark. Something extra kicked in for the quarterback though, as he powered his way through the tackle just inches over the goal line for the 2-point conversion, and win.
Pandemonium erupted as teammates embraced, fans stormed the field, and Pensacola Catholic players fell on the ground in disbelief. The Tornadoes had erased a 14 to 0 Crusader lead in the fourth quarter. A game dominated in turnovers created by the Crusaders. In fact, Bradford turned the ball over four times in the game, but their championship defense would step up time and time again as they have all year.
No better example of this was when Pensacola Catholic went up 14-0 in the first half. Running back Nigel Nelson broke a 70-yard run to the Tornado 1-yard line. Nelson would run it in from 1-yard out stunning the crowd at David Hurse Stadium. Yet, Bradford did not fold.
Nigel Nelson with offers from Liberty and Akron, FAU touchdown!! pic.twitter.com/x0qYkEQanN
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) December 2, 2023
Not even when Pensacola Catholic’s Jayveon Showers scored on a spectacular touchdown catch, did Bradford bend. They responded by driving down the field to the Crusader’s 1-yard line. However, a Bradford fumble would give Pensacola Catholic the ball back on their 1-yard line. This eventually set up the score by Nelson. On the ensuing drive after Pensacola’s second score, Bradford would fumble again, giving Pensacola Catholic prime, field position in Bradford territory. However, the Tornado defense would hold again, going into halftime trailing 14 to 0.
Jayvion Showers WHAT A CATCH!!!! Touchdown Pensacola Catholic! 7-0 crusaders lead Bradford @Jayvion_Showers Arkansas State commit 2024! His recruiting will 🔥 up after this one! Crusaders 7 Bradford 0, 2nd 6:00 pic.twitter.com/qZ4gUPJobw
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) December 2, 2023
In the second half, Bradford would have more opportunities to score points in the third quarter, yet they would fumble that away as well. The Tornadoes drove down the field in the third quarter, only to fumble on the 1-yard line again to the disbelief of the crowd. Give some credit to Pensacola Catholic though. On both sides of the ball, the Crusaders won the war in the trenches in the first half. This included the offensive line as they opened holes for Nelson.
Jayvion Showers WHAT A CATCH!!!! Touchdown Pensacola Catholic! 7-0 crusaders lead Bradford @Jayvion_Showers Arkansas State commit 2024! His recruiting will 🔥 up after this one! Crusaders 7 Bradford 0, 2nd 6:00 pic.twitter.com/qZ4gUPJobw
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) December 2, 2023
Defensive tackle Desjon Robertson and company dominated the line of scrimmage for Pensacola Catholic. They were opportunistic on defense forcing several turnovers including one in the second half. After the Bradford defense led by Torin Brazell, Jalen Williams, Duke Lewis, and Trente Jenkins, stuffed the Crusaders on the line forcing a punt, Bradford would fumble once again. This time on a punt return giving the ball back to Pensacola Catholic.
In the fourth quarter, Bradford would finally reach the end zone on offense. Daejon Shanks found his playmaker and partner Chalil Cummings on a screen pass as Cummings took it 63-yards to the house for a touchdown. Incredibly, after taking Pensacola’s best shot, and enduring their own blunders, Bradford was back in the game.
Chalil Cummings to the HOUSE!!! Touchdown!! Bradford is on the board in the 4th 10:12 to play! Pensacola Catholic 14 Tornadoes 7 @ChalilCummingss pic.twitter.com/nQ8o2rz7eF
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) December 2, 2023
Bradford’s defense would step up and stop Pensacola Catholic again on the ensuing drive forcing a three and out, but disaster would strike once again for the Tornadoes. This time on the punt return, Bradford would fumble again! It was their fourth turnover on the night, and the odds after losing the turnover battle in such a lopsided way were not in their favor.
The crucial fumble set up Pensacola Catholic at Bradford’s 20-yard line. Yet, once again Bradford’s defense led by linebackers Chason Clark, Devon McBride, Jeremiah McKenzie, and Brian Cliffin would rise to the occasion. They held back the Crusaders, forcing a field goal that was unsuccessful.
Bradford’s offense would take advantage of their defense’s effort by driving 75-yards with 5:56 to play in the game. Runs by Shanks, Willie Pollard, and Jy’quez Cason put Bradford into Crusader territory. Finally, on fourth down from Pensacola Catholic’s 8-yard line, Jeremiah McKenzie found Jason Clark wide open by himself for a touchdown to tie the score at 14-14.
Wow! With 1:27 to play! Chason Clark @ChasonClark10 from Jeremiah McKenzie @jeremiahmcknz REDEMPTION for McKenzie for an earlier fumble pic.twitter.com/P1NEhpqZOb
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) December 2, 2023
Pensacola Catholic would drive to Bradford’s 25-yard line with less than a minute to play, setting up a potential game-winning field goal. However, the 42-yard attempt was no good, sending the hard hitting hard nosed affair into overtime.
Pensacola Catholic attempted a 42-yarder NO GOOD! We're heading to OVERTIME!! @FHSAA class 2S State Semifinal! pic.twitter.com/pEwUPJi3VV
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) December 2, 2023
In overtime, Pensacola Catholic would score first. No surprise to any in attendance it was Nigel Nelson once again. Nelson almost had a passing touchdown but it was dropped in the end-zone. Nevertheless, Nelson, had a spectacular rushing night in the state semi finals as the Crusaders chose to kick the point after to lead 21 to 14.
Touchdown! Pensacola Catholic missed a wide open pass but Nigel Nelson scores! 21-14 OT leading Bradford pic.twitter.com/evCmp29niZ
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) December 2, 2023
Bradford would respond predictably with runs themselves. Willie Pollard would weave his way to the goal-line on a nice run in the extra period. The senior showed incredible fortitude by rehabbing from a broken arm which he suffered mid season, to play in this playoff game. His battle to rehab off the field would foreshadow his battle on the field, overcoming a late fumble to put his team in position to score.
I'm so impressed by Willie Pollard! For him to come back from that injury in the playoffs. He's going to pop or for Bradford. They have to stay patient with the run game. Just a two score contest right now down 14-0 @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/cER0gS3fst
— Andre' Ellis💬 (@andreellis55) December 2, 2023
Two plays later, Bradford would get the score on a short touchdown leap over the top by Jeremiah McKenzie. McKenzie would make amends for an earlier fumble on the 1-yard line with two scores in the fourth. The potential tying touchdown left head coach Jamie Rodgers with a crucial decision to make. Trailing 21-20 Rodgers chose to go for winning 2-point conversion, and the rest as they say is history.
Touchdown!!!! 20-21 Bradford will go for 2pts!! VS Pensacola Carholic' pic.twitter.com/5VZaieGfqr
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) December 2, 2023
Speaking of history, Bradford (14-0) will return to the state championship for the first time in 38 years. Not since 1985 has big red been to the big game. The undefeated Tornadoes at 14-0 will face Cocoa (13-1) in Tallahassee, Florida. Bragg Memorial Stadium, home of the Florida A&M Rattlers will host these two state championship participants at Ken Riley Field on Friday, December 8th at 8pm.
