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Branford receiver Austin Malaguti (11) and quarterback Thomas Sikes (10) celebrate after a touchdown during Thursday's spring jamboree. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)
BELL — Looks like Branford may have filled a big vacuum left by the graduation of Caden Coker, whose hard-nosed running style earned him a 1,000-plus-yard season last fall.
Based on the Buccaneers’ performance in Thursday’s three-team jamboree, which also included Hamilton County and host Bell, they were easily the team that shined the brightest with the emergence of rising sophomore quarterback Thomas Sikes (5 for 6 for 56 yards 1 TD), junior Trevor Maddox (82 yards on seven carries, 1 TD) and Austin Malaguti, who scored on a 35-yard run and an 11-yard reception.
In an event that saw a one-hour delay due to a lightning watch, the Bucs and the Trojans from Hamilton County fell short of completing a quarter.
However, the Bucs managed to get one long impressive scoring drive in before the delay was called after Hamilton County ran just four offensive plays before play was halted.
The scrimmage ended with Branford in front 6-0 as the Trojans forfeited the rest of the game when it was apparent the delay was extending beyond the original 30-minute stoppage.
In its second matchup, the Bucs scored on two 70-yard drives for a 13-0 win during their two quarters of play.
"We scored on all but one drive," Branford head coach Tim Clark said. "Obviously we didn't let either one of the teams score on us. That's always good."
The Bucs started strong, taking the game’s opening offensive series, marching 70 yards on 14 plays with Sikes completing an 11-yard touchdown pass to Malaguti for a 7-0 lead following Hector Velasquez’ extra-point kick.
Sikes was a perfect 4 for 4 for 37 yards on the drive, which ate up 7:18 off the clock.
"I'm pretty encouraged by our games tonight," said Maddox, whose longest run of 45 yards for a 1st-and-goal against Bell set up his one-yard TD against the Bulldogs. "I feel we're going to have a pretty good season for us. This helps us get ready for the offseason so we can get better, stronger, faster."
Besides filling in for Coker in the backfield, he's also wearing the No. 2 jersey that the former Buc standout wore.
"Those are pretty big shoes to fill, that's for sure," Maddox said.
In their only possession against Hamilton County, the Bucs got some big plays along the way. Sikes ran for four yards to convert on a 4th-and-2 at midfield. Later in the drive, he converted on a 3rd-and-4 with a 10-yard to the Hamilton County 27-yard line. Sikes had another run that went for a first down, going to the middle for eight yards on 2nd-and-5 for a first down at the 14.
On the next play, Sikes found Malaguti on the right flank for the touchdown pass. Despite the impressive drive, the Bucs had to overcome two holding penalties that negated rushing gains of 16 and 19 yards while also recovering two of their own fumbles.
“We put the ball on the ground during that drive and had two (holding) penalties, which made the drive longer than it had to be,” Clark said.
Then came the delay before Hamilton County was able to run its fourth offensive play against the Bucs.
Hamilton County had just played two quarters against Bell, losing to the host team by a 6-0 score on a 35-yard pass play. The Trojans were ultimately finished for the night and returned to Jasper via decision from administration.
Against Bell, the Bucs defense allowed the host team to drive from its 30 to the Branford 20-yard line before the Bucs forced a failed 37-yard attempt.
On Branford's first possession, the Bucs picked up where they left off, marching 70 in six plays. Malaguti scored on an end-around for his second touchdown, covering 35 yards.
After another defensive stop, the Bucs added their second TD against Bell on Maddox's 1-yard run, set up by a 45-yard run from midfield for a 1st-and-goal.