Starke Fl- We knew going into the match-up between Bradford (2-0) and Dunnellon(1-1) that it was going to be a hard nosed contest between two very similar teams. Two teams that traditionally like to run the ball, and play defense meant for a grinding contest that would look very similar to one another during the game.
That is until Bradford’s takeaways on special teams highlighted a glaring difference between the two squads. Similar to the “Give Me My Money Challenge” on Tik Tok, everything was the same, until it wasn’t. And in the end, Bradford would walk away winners, exposing a glaring difference from them and Dunnellon.
Dunnellon came in fresh off a win at home against Florida High 21-14. Bradford came off a 13-7 win against Baker County. So both teams were eager to start fast to keep the momentum from week one. It would be Bradford that got out to a quick lead in the contest when Jeremiah McKenzie blocked a punt that was recovered by Jyquez Cason, who returned the football for a touchdown.
Bradford went for two and scored on the conversion to go up 8-0 over Dunnellon. What looked to be a defensive battle was changed in an instant on special teams. Bradford would take the lead into the second quarter..
Jeremiah McKenzie would make his impact on the game even more when he entered the contest on offense. McKenzie lined up at quarterback and ran power off tackle and up the middle for chunks of yards behind the massive Bradford offensive line. The drive would end with McKenzie scoring on a 16-yard touchdown run giving Bradford a 15-0 lead over Dunnellon.
Jeremiah McKenzie @jeremiahmcknz Touchdown!!!!! 15-0, Bradford leads Dunnellon! 2nd ,4:17 pic.twitter.com/z1Rxw6MdaM
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) August 31, 2024
Dunnellon would respond capitalizing on great field position from a short kick off. The Tigers would drive down the field and punch in a short 4-yard touchdown run by Dylan Donahoe. The Tigers were on the board and all of a sudden the game was within one score going into halftime at 15-6.
Dylan Donahoe 4yd Touchdown run! Dunnellon strikes back! Tigers trail Bradford 15-6, 54 seconds remain,2nd @DylanDonahoe0 pic.twitter.com/WFOChMi8Np
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) August 31, 2024
Although Dunnellen had out gained Bradford in first downs, yards, and time of possession, Bradford still led in points. The Tornadoes never seemed to be threatened in the game, although Dunnellon would get to within one score twice.
In the second half, Bradford would once again get a jump start from the senior McKenzie. The Central Michigan commit knifed through to block another punt, which was recovered by Bradford deep in Tiger territory. It would be a Mc double for McKenize, who put together two dynamic special team plays on the night. Two punt blocks! said McKenzie after the game, “we practice special teams a lot, and we saw something that we knew we could take advantage of”.
This once again set the tone for Bradford in the second half, who started to control the clock utilizing running-back Gino Addison. Addison, who scored last week against Baker County, would power the Bradford running game, scoring from 4-yards out to give Bradford a 22-6 lead.
Gino Addison Touchdown!! Score for the second week in a row! Bradford increases their lead 22-6, over Dunnellon! 3rd 5:21 @superstar_gio pic.twitter.com/sTC4OwIXNK
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) August 31, 2024
Dunnellon’s Dylan Curry found Malachi Bullock for a 20-yard touchdown pass to bring the Tigers back. Curry would run in the conversion to make it a one-score game again 22-14 with 2:46 to play in the 3rd quarter. There was lots of fight in Dunnellon, and they are a well coached team with lots of passion. Bradford needed to respond, and they did so with quite possibly their best drive of the season.
Dylan Curry gets the 2-point conversion! Dunnellon trails Bradford 22-14 @_dylan352_ Two tough teams in Florida going to the 4th quarter! pic.twitter.com/vc1FUbKqmd
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) August 31, 2024
The Tornadoes went on a 14-play, 77-yard touchdown drive capped off once again by Gino Addison. Addison ran hard all game, and followed the blocks of players like Jacob Ferguson (6’4, 285lbs), Kyren Green (6’4, 310lbs) to reach the end-zone. The score put Bradford up 29-14 as the Tornado defense stopped Dunnellon on fourth down.
Bradford’s defense looks back, and better than ever. A defense that lost some crucial pieces to graduation now has 6 foot 4 defenders Jamarian Foye (DE), and Jeremiah Hill (DE) along with senior linebacker Duke Lewis (6’3, 202lbs) a double digit sack leader from last year. Said Lewis, “we didn’t reload because it’s the next man up mentality that we have here. Everyone was already hear, its just a matter of waiting your turn”. Lewis made the Duval Sports First Team Prime Time Player list.
It is their turn to potentially take the team to another level. Under the leadership of head coach Jamie Rogers, his staff and a new group of Tornadoes they’re wreaking havoc early in the 2024 season.
Featured Image by Will Brown
