Purvis happy with his changes for Braden River

Though his offense struggled Friday night against Manatee, Braden River head coach Don Purvis says he liked what he saw in moving Steve Ross into the quarterback slot and switching out former QB Ryan Fischer to safety.

Fischer had an interception off a tipped ball and Ross was able to give the Pirates anemic passing game some life, completing four of nine passes for 39 yards and breaking off a big run on his first rushing attempt.

The Pirates offense was outmatched against a Manatee defensive front four that is among the best in the state. But Ross threw some nice passes and was able to use his height to connect with some open receivers.

Purvis said he would use Fischer in many different ways, including using him as a slot receiver and running back. He filled for Ross at the end of the game when the junior signal caller had to leave the game because of bruised ribs.

Right now, Braden River’s season comes down to its next two games after a bye this Friday. The Pirates play Sarasota Booker and Englewood Lemon Bay afterwards and if they can beat both it would likely put them into the playoffs as a district runner-up.

The highlight of an otherwise dismal night for Braden River was a 60 yard punt that Dakota Wilson got off. The linebacker/offensive lineman has been a stalwart for the Pirates, who appear to match up well with Booker and Lemon Bay.