Branham football had a game to remember down in Soledad on Saturday afternoon.
The Bruins had a finish for the ages in their 19-13 road win over the Aztecs. With seconds left in the fourth quarter and the score knotted at 13-13, Branham wide receiver Zayne St. Laurent lateraled the ball to Bruins quarterback Jack Lewis on the last play of the game, Branham coach Stephen Johnson said.
Lewis scored a touchdown, but the play was called back for an illegal forward pass. On the ensuing untimed down, Lewis found Brayden Hodges on a 35-yard Hail Mary for the win. Hodges pinned the ball against his helmet on the way down while jostling with two defenders to secure the catch.
The completion came against a prevent defense call by Soledad.
Branham’s Preston Conrad (17)celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the 1st half of the Branham at Silver Creek BVAL football game at Silver Creek High School in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, October 27, 2023. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Area News Group)
Lewis finished 29 of 46 passing for 305 yards and three touchdowns for the Bruins (2-1). Michael Murphy, St. Laurent and Hodges had touchdown receptions. Chris Von Barloewen picked off a Soledad two-point conversion attempt to help set Branham up for the win.
Hodges finished with seven catches for 85 yards. Murphy’s lone reception went 71 yards to the house. St. Laurent compiled seven catches for 87 yards. Aden Newberg caught three passes for 29 yards.
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Richard Martin carried the ball 10 times for 60 yards. Murphy rushed seven times for 61 yards.
Thomas Nguyen forced two fumbles, one of which was recovered by Dylan Rodriguez. Von Barloewen forced a fumble as well.
Branham’s Thomas Nguyen (52) pushes back Silver Creek’s Patrick Pawlicki(4) during the 1st half of the Branham at Silver Creek BVAL football game at Silver Creek High School in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, October 27, 2023. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Area News Group)