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Football: East Bay 30, Brandon 20

 
East Bay kicker Joe Metallo (left) gets a high-five from Indian lineman Tony Lopez moments after Metallo connected on a 40-yard field goal in Friday's game against Brandon. East Bay went on to win the game 30-20. Taken 9-2-16 by Scott Purks
East Bay kicker Joe Metallo (left) gets a high-five from Indian lineman Tony Lopez moments after Metallo connected on a 40-yard field goal in Friday's game against Brandon. East Bay went on to win the game 30-20. Taken 9-2-16 by Scott Purks
Published Sept. 3, 2016

BRANDON — East Bay's philosophy hasn't changed much through the years, or decades for that matter. Forget the spread or exotic blitz packages, the Indians are going to line up on both sides of the ball and work straight downhill.

"We want to run the ball and play great defense," East Bay coach Frank LaRosa said. "I like to think of our brand as blue-collar."

The Indians attempted just one pass on the night and the defense came up big when it had to as East Bay remained undefeated on the young season with a 30-20 win against host Brandon on Friday night.

"We're going to punch you in the mouth, play tough and come together," LaRosa said. "It's us vs. you."

Joe Metallo put East Bay (2-0) ahead 3-0 with a 40-yard field goal, then the teams combined for a trio of touchdowns in the final three minutes of the first half. One play after Charles Haynes scooped up a fumble, Larry Anderson (15 carries, 107 yards) went in from 8 yards out for the first of his two TDs to make it 7-3 Brandon (1-1).

James Exume's 47-yard run on the next series set up a 6-yard Davonte Williams TD with 2:14 remaining in the second quarter. But Barry Wyche hooked up with Tyrek Ball on a 6-yard TD pass eight plays later to give Brandon a 13-10 halftime edge.

"We made some mistakes toward the end of the half and we paid for them," LaRosa said.

Exume gave the Indians the lead for good at 23-20 with a 15-yard TD on the final play of the third quarter. Then trailing by the same score with just under four minutes to play, the Indians turned back the Eagles on a fourth and inches from Brandon's 30.

"We knew what they were going to do and where they were going," said Williams, who also recovered a fumble.

Eight plays later, Tanner Morris iced it with a 1-yard TD plunge with 36 seconds to go. East Bay got sacks from Jaron Green and Joaquin Isidro and an interception by Jaylan Rodriguez.