‘Physical’ Braves control Warhawks, 41-12

The Braves rush Badger-Gabriel Field before their homecoming battle against Southeast Warren. (Mia Boulton photo).

Montezuma outscored Southeast Warren 27-0 during the two middle quarters and beat the Warhawks 41-12 at the Braves’ homecoming game Friday evening, Sept. 24, at Badger-Gabriel Field.

The win lifted the Braves to 6-0 on the season.

Montezuma coaches had described Southeast Warren as a solid program coming in, and the Warhawks lived up to that billing.

What Montezuma did, though, was play the kind of game the Braves will need to play against strong teams they’re likely to see down the road. What kind of game?

Control.

The Braves controlled field position and clock. They worked a short passing game close to perfection, with quarterback Eddie Burgess completing 12-of-16 for 151 yards. None of them were touchdown passes, but . . .

. . .Burgess, a 6-4, 230-pounder, bruised the Warhawk defense with 174 yards on 28 rushes – five of which were touchdown runs. The Braves got a sixth rushing touchdown from running back Connor Van Zee.

Those six were more than enough, because Montezuma’s defense held Southeast Warren to six points through three quarters.

It was a very physical win for us,” said Braves Coach John Beck. “I was very proud of our effort and our resilience throughout the game.”

Montezuma led 7-6 after one quarter and 20-6 at halftime.

The Braves put up two touchdowns in the first 3:49 of the third quarter. The Warhawks trailed 34-6 through three quarters.

Tod Geiger (78) and Zach Bennett (4) discuss stopping Southeast Warren with Defensive Coordinator Tim Burgess. (Mia Boulton photo).

Overall, we came out with a good win against a tough and battle-tested team,” Beck said.

Montezuma’s defense was forever in pursuit. Burgess had 14.0 tackles. Zach Bennett and Marty Knox had 10 each.

Burgess intercepted two passes.

Owen Cook kicked off six times, four times for touchbacks, and for a total of 270 yards. Always having a long field in front of it didn’t help the Warhawks offense. “Owen is a real weapon in the kicking game,” Beck said.

While we’re on the kicking game – Montezuma didn’t have to punt. Burgess accounted for 325 yards of passing and rushing yardage on 44 plays.

The Braves gained 387 yards on 54 plays, an average of 7.2 per snap. The Warhawks had 241 on 60, an average of 4.0 per snap.

Quarterback Landon Harvey was 8-for-15 through the air for 72 yards and one touchdown. Running back Logan Montgomery gained 77 yards on 18 rushes.

Trey Fisher caught two passes for 37 yards, one for a touchdown. Luke Lane led Southeast Warren defenders with 9.5 tackles and one fumble recovery.

Southeast Warren is 2-3.

This was a non-district game.

UP NEXT – Montezuma hosts Twin Cedars next Friday, Oct. 1.

Braves center Kennen Roadcap (77) blocks a Southeast Warren defender. (Mia Boulton photo).

Braves Stats vs. SE Warren

Passing – Eddie Burgess 12-16 for 151 yards, 0 touchdowns, 0 interceptions.

Rushing – Burgess 28-174, 5 touchdowns, Van Zee 9-39, one touchdown; Masin Shearer 1-3.

Receiving – Shearer 6-80, Van Zee 2-39, Owen Cook 2-19, Cam Michalek 2-13.

Tackles – Burgess 14.0, Zach Bennett 14.0, Marty Knox 10.0, Van Zee 5.5, Brett Plants 4.0, Gabe Wearmouth 4.0,Kennen Roadcap 2.0, Cook 1.5, Tod Geiger 0.5, Peyton Minner 0.5.

Tackles for loss – Bennett 1.0, Burgess 1.0, Wearmouth 0.5, Knox 0.5.

Interceptions – Burgess 2-0.

Kickoff returns – Van Zee 1-19, Garrett Watts 1-14, Cruz De Jong 1-0.

Kicking – Cook 6 kickoffs, 4 for touchbacks, 270 yards, 5-5 on PATs.

Punts – none.