Brookwood came into Norcross undefeated. Fifty-seven points later, the Broncos left with their perfect record very much intact — and another Region 7 opponent wondering what exactly just happened.
NORCROSS, Ga. — At some point Friday night, the scoreboard at Norcross probably wanted to clock out early.
Brookwood wouldn't let it.
The Broncos walked into Norcross undefeated and walked back out 6–0 after dropping a season-high 57 points on the Blue Devils in a 57–23 Region 7 beatdown.
And “beatdown” isn't us being dramatic.
It was 36–9 at halftime.
Thirty-six.
In one half.
Norcross technically had another two quarters to figure something out, but by then Brookwood had already made its point.
Loudly.
Apparently 5–0 Wasn't Good Enough
Brookwood has spent the first half of this season treating the schedule like a checklist.
Cambridge? 52–7.
Mill Creek? 36–8.
South Gwinnett? 55–20.
Marist made things interesting, but Brookwood survived 27–21.
Duluth? 46–0.
Then came Norcross.
57–23.
That's six games.
Six wins.
No losses.
And just in case anybody thought Brookwood might finally slow down once region play arrived, the Broncos apparently took that personally.
Brookwood Has Options — Which Is the Problem
Here's what makes this team annoying to defend.
Pick your problem.
Want to load up against the run?
Okay.
Now you've got quarterback Gary Chatman and the passing game to deal with.
Want to back everybody up and protect against the explosive play?
Cool.
Now Brayden Tyson gets to start looking for running lanes.
And once Brookwood gets rolling, good luck convincing them they've scored enough.
Entering the matchup, Chatman was averaging 171.4 passing yards per game, while Tyson had established himself as Brookwood's leading rushing threat. Zy'Aire Conaway has provided another weapon through the air, and linebacker Chris Scott has been one of the defense's leading tacklers.
Translation?
This isn't one dude carrying everybody else.
Brookwood has answers.
And Friday night, Norcross didn't have enough questions.
Norcross Picked a Bad Night for Brookwood to Find Another Gear
The Blue Devils came into Friday needing something positive.
Instead, they got Brookwood's highest-scoring performance of the season.
That's just rude.
Norcross has now lost six of its last eight games dating back to last season and sits at 2–3 after the loss.
The Blue Devils did manage 23 points, which is more than four of Brookwood's first five opponents scored.
Normally, you could build on that.
Small problem:
Brookwood scored 57.
It's difficult to celebrate offensive progress when the other sideline is treating the scoreboard like a pinball machine.
The Scariest Number Isn't 57
It's 6–0.
Because one huge offensive night can happen.
Maybe everything clicks.
Maybe the matchups are perfect.
Maybe somebody wakes up feeling dangerous.
Six straight wins aren't an accident.
Brookwood has now beaten opponents by scores of 52–7, 36–8, 55–20, 27–21, 46–0 and 57–23.
That's not a hot Friday.
That's a pattern.
And now everybody left on the schedule gets the privilege of trying to break it.
Have fun with that.
Sanchez Sideline Game Changer
We could pick one player.
We could pick one touchdown.
We could pick one defensive stop.
But sometimes the obvious answer is the right answer.
Brookwood's balance.
The Broncos aren't asking one player to rescue them every Friday night.
Tyson gives them production on the ground. Chatman gives them options through the air. Conaway adds another receiving threat. Scott helps anchor the defense.
And don't overlook the guys doing the dirty work up front. Offensive lineman Kaiden McKenzie entered the week credited with 39 pancake blocks.
Thirty-nine.
Somebody check on those defensive linemen.
The point is simple: Brookwood can hurt you in too many places.
Friday night, Norcross found that out the hard way.
Next Up: Hello, Parkview
Brookwood doesn't get much time to admire the 6–0 record.
Next Friday brings Parkview to Brookwood for another Region 7 matchup at 7 p.m.
And Parkview isn't exactly arriving quietly.
The Panthers are coming off a 57–20 win over Duluth.
So, yes.
Brookwood just scored 57.
Parkview just scored 57.
And now they play each other.
Sanchez Sideline approves this scheduling decision.
Norcross, meanwhile, heads to Berkmar looking to get back on track. Berkmar remains winless after a 55–0 loss to Peachtree Ridge.
Sideline Take
Brookwood isn't sneaking up on anybody anymore.
You don't accidentally start 6–0.
You definitely don't accidentally score 57 points in a region game on somebody else's field.
The Broncos showed up in Norcross, had 36 points before everybody finished their halftime snacks, and left with the best start they could possibly have.
Six games.
Six wins.
And now Parkview gets next.
Brookwood 57. Norcross 23.
Somebody might want to make sure that scoreboard is rested by Friday.
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