#TBT #2006 #Broncos #31TheBlanketWasBorn The Beaufort Broncos ended their inaugural season in smashmouth style Saturday night. Led by a strong defensive effort that forced eight turnovers, the Broncos ended their season with a 14-6 win over the Conway Bulldogs at Burton Wells Recreation Complex. Defensive back Kennard Rhodan lead the way with three interceptions. Rhodan took his third interception and returned it 25 yards for the decisive touchdown. That was my first touchdown in my life, Rhodan said. I was reading it. I knew it was coming sooner or later. I had to make it happen. Bulldog quarterback Josh Vaught had Justin Thomas draped all over him and overthrew his receiver. Rhodan, in perfect position, gathered in the ball and ran untouched for the score. The Broncos other two scores were also set up by their defense. Marion Smalls forced Vaught to fumble on the Bulldogs first possession to set up the Broncos in Conway territory. Quarterback Graham Deas found Dino Mullen in the end zone for a 27-yard touchdown pass to give the Broncos a 6-0 lead. It was a little bit of a busted play, Deas said. I thought I was caught, and at the last second, I kept my feet, bounced around the pocket and found him on the side. I threw it the best I could and he made the rest happen. Smalls, who was the North American Football Leagues defensive player of the week for last week, finished the day with two sacks and two forced fumbles. We played within our game plan, Smalls said. They threw a couple of things at us that we werent prepared for, but we went back to basics and it turned out well. Beauforts defense dominated the rest of the half. The pick parade started on the Bulldogs next possession. Vaughts first attempt fell into the hands of Broncos defensive back T.J. Culberson. The Broncos offense gave the ball right back to Conway on a fumble, only to have Vaught throw another interception. Tim Moore picked Vaught to give Beaufort the ball right back. The next Conway possession only lasted three plays before Rhodan grabbed his first pick of the night. Rhodan also ended the Bulldogs next drive with his second interception. Defense has definitely been the heart and soul of this team, Broncos coach Matt Averill said. Youre going to know that you played the boys from Beaufort. Were a bunch of hard-hitting guys. Defense is for the junkyard dogs and offense is for the finesse. His three picks gave Rhodan seven on the season and has also earned him the nickname The Blanket from his teammates. The defensive backs were helped by a relentless pass rush from Thomas, Smalls and the rest of the defensive front seven. The pressure came because when you got dogs that want the ball, theyre going to go get the ball, Thomas said. If you tell them to hunt, theyll go hunt. The Bulldogs only score came on a third quarter touchdown run by Leon Washington III that tied the game up at 6. The Broncos defense bounced back, forcing a safety late in the fourth quarter as Conway was trying to make a comeback. After a sack by Jesse Owens backed the Bulldogs inside their own 10, a bad shotgun snap forced Vaught to run out of the back of the end zone. Finishing the season with a win was a step in the right direction for the Broncos future. I think its real important for the guys that are going to be here next year, Averill said. Instead of trying to reestablish, weve already got something established. One thing was evident at the end of the game. The hard times at the beginning of the season and the success at the end of season helped the Broncos bond into a team. We had a tough beginning, but things came together, Averill said. Added Thomas: We went through our ups and downs. We argue like brothers but we play like family. Read more here: lowcountrynewspapers.net/archive/node/126053#storylink=cpy
Posted on: Thu, 09 Oct 2014 11:02:49 +0000
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