New year, same issues for Pierce football.
Once again, penalties and poor offensive line play were the biggest factors in their season opening 25-6 loss at home against the Moorpark Raiders, Saturday night.
Penalties plagued the Brahmas all night; they had 18 on the game. The first play of the game was an indicator of things to come when starting running back Keyshawn Richards’ 25-yard run was called back for an illegal block.
“Basically we shot ourselves in the foot quite a bit,” coach Jason Sabolic said. “To be quite honest, we’re a very young team. The defense kept us in the game. They battled the whole entire game, we just had a problem getting off the ground offensively.”
Starting quarterback Brandon Perdue was also injured in the game. Late in the second quarter Perdue took a helmet to the back of his hip causing what he described as a hip pointer. Backup Eugene Sainterling replaced Perdue for the remainder of the half. Perdue returned to start the third quarter, but would be replaced for two drives before finishing the game. Despite being banged up, Perdue is ready to get back and prepare for next week.
“This is definitely going to be a learning week for us,” Perdue said. “Moorpark was a good team, they’re in the division above us, but we have to come back this week and learn.”
Defensive Coordinator Torry Hughes believes they can come back ready for next week despite the disappointment of this week.
“I feel like a guy who got a new suit and went to a bar and got beat up,” Coach Hughes said. “Our kids are capable. We need to do a better job coaching the game and that’s what it really boils down to, putting them in a better position.”
The Brahmas’ next game will be on the road on Saturday, September 10th at LA Southwest at 6 p.m.
