Zachary controls St. Augustine behind stiff defense in 17-7 victory

ZACHARY – Defense was the name of the game Friday night in Zachary’s 17-7 home over St. Augustine at the Bronco Corral.

The Broncos pulled off the tough defensive win by keeping the Purple Knights scoreless after their opening drive of the game. One play that may go unnoticed because the Zachary offense couldn’t convert it into points came via a huge hit and forced fumble by Stetson Bell. The loose ball was picked up and returned 40 yards by Ryan Bell.

The rest of the night after that play, St. Augustine quarterback Dawson Simmons and his offense lacked cohesiveness as Zachary continued to be stout and apply pressure.

“I like the grit we played with tonight,” Zachary head coach Brewerton said. “I like the guts we played with.”

Kelley Conachen’s 20-yard field Goal with less than five minutes to play capped at 12-play, 74 yard drive in the second half to provide a two-score lead and the winning margin for Zachary (2-0).

St. Augustine drew first blood early, marching 65 yards on 11 plays on their opening possession. The Purple Knights led 7-0 on a three-yard keeper by Simmons. Three third down conversions and two Zachary penalties aided the touchdown march.

Zachary evened the score before the half on a nine-play, 80 yard drive capped by a three-yard score by Tyson George on a wildcat play.

“I told our guys at the guys at the half,we didn’t play great at all,almost bad,” Brewerton said. “And we get to wipe the slate. We made some adjustments and shut them out in the second half. I’m pleased and proud of our guys but we’ve got to be better.”

Backup quarterback Hudson Spangler provided the right change of pace for the Broncos offense, entering in a tie game. Spangler completed 4-of-5 passes for 117 yards including a 40-yard dart to D.J. Franklin with 1:41 to play in the third that put the Broncos ahead to stay, 14-7.

Zachary will look to stay unbeaten next Friday when they host McKinley. St. Augustine (2-1) plays host to Edna Karr at Tad Gormley stadium next Saturday night.