Dima Barker brings down a Bolivar runner as Trais Hector looks on during Friday night action. Photo by Laura Drew Holmes
It took about a quarter for Brighton’s offense to get into high gear Friday night at Bolivar in the season opener.
When it did, however, the Cardinals took complete control of the game.
Sophomore quarterback Tyler Todd, who came in for injured starter Nick Harvell, threw a pair of TD passes, Braxton Sharp scored twice and Jacob Rodriquez returned a fumble for another score in the second quarter.
It all added up to a convincing 44-0 Brighton win.
Brighton’s defense was dominant, holding Bolivar to just four first downs and 54 yards.
“I was real pleased with our defense,” Brighton head coach Mike David said. “They kind of set the tone for Friday night and we went from there. It was really a great defensive effort.”
Harvell, who David said is questionable for Week 2 with an injured ankle, got the scoring started with a six-yard TD run midway through the first quarter.
Sharp scored on a three-yard run early in the second quarter before Todd hit Bryce Chaco on a 14-yard scoring strike and Sharp for an 18-yard score. Rodriquez’s fumble return covered 38-yards and came with 2:27 left in the second period.
C.J. Bonner scored on a one-yard run late in the game for Brighton’s final tally.
Todd completed 5 of 6 passes for 71 yards.
“I thought he did an exceptional job moving the offense,” David said.
Sharp led the rushing attack with 80 yards on nine carries and also caught four passes for 56 yards. Chaco caught four passes for 56 yards.
The competition will get much tougher this Friday when Dyersburg comes to town for Brighton’s home opener.
“They’re always a good team,” David said. “They run the Wing T extremely well. We’re trying to prepare for them this week as well as we can.”
