LITTLE ELM — Crandall traded punches with Denton Braswell for more than three quarters Friday night, but the Bengals’ powerful running game eventually took control in a 35-24 season-opening victory at Carrico Stadium.
The Pirates led twice in the first half, went back in front during the third quarter and answered Braswell with a 55-yard touchdown early in the fourth. But Braswell scored the final 14 points and finished with 292 rushing yards to hand Crandall an 0-1 start.
Crandall finished with 302 total yards, while Braswell produced 411.
Pirates Strike First
Crandall immediately created an opportunity when Braswell quarterback Khalyl Moore was intercepted on the Bengals’ opening possession.
The Pirates converted the turnover into seven points.
Junior running back Darrik Ward carried three times during the scoring drive, including an 11-yard run and a 6-yard gain before scoring from 3 yards out. Carlton Lewis added the extra point for a 7-0 Crandall lead.
Braswell answered with a methodical 71-yard possession capped by Chris Lark’s 16-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 7.
Crandall reclaimed the lead in the second quarter when Ward scored again, this time from a yard out, putting the Pirates ahead 14-7.
But Lark supplied Braswell’s first explosive play of the night.
Facing third-and-1, he broke loose for a 49-yard touchdown, pulling the Bengals even at 14-14 with 5:20 remaining before halftime.
That score held into the break.
Crandall Takes Third-Quarter Lead
Neither offense found the end zone in the third quarter, but Crandall managed the only points.
Lewis converted a 21-yard field goal with 5:04 remaining, giving the Pirates a 17-14 advantage.
Braswell responded with the drive that began changing the complexion of the game.
The Bengals covered 83 yards in nine plays, with Moore completing passes of 7, 11 and 40 yards during the possession. The drive carried into the fourth quarter before Zahir Trufant scored on an 18-yard run, giving Braswell its first lead, 21-17, with 11:43 remaining.
Crandall responded almost immediately.
Douglas Delivers the Big Play
The Pirates needed only five plays to regain the lead.
Ward opened the possession with runs of 9, 3 and 6 yards before Lewis connected with senior receiver Jeremiah Douglas for a 55-yard touchdown.
The score put Crandall back in front 24-21 with 9:58 remaining.
Douglas was Crandall’s biggest threat through the air throughout the night, catching eight passes for 123 yards and a touchdown.
But the Pirates’ final lead lasted less than three minutes.
Braswell went back to the running game, marching 64 yards in nine plays. Lark opened the possession with a 23-yard run, Trufant later ripped off 28 yards, and Trufant eventually scored from 2 yards out.
Braswell led 28-24 with 7:08 remaining.
Bengals Finish the Job
Crandall needed another answer but could not generate one.
The Pirates managed just 3 yards on their next possession and were forced to punt with 4:41 remaining.
Braswell then put the game away with another touchdown drive.
Trufant carried three times for 33 yards during the possession before Lark added 5 more. Moore completed the drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Landon Roland with 2:09 remaining.
That made it 35-24 and effectively ended Crandall’s comeback opportunity.
Ground Game Makes the Difference
The statistical difference was significant on the ground.
Braswell rushed for 292 yards on 37 attempts, averaging 7.9 yards per carry. Crandall finished with 165 rushing yards on 45 attempts.
Lark needed only 11 carries to produce 135 yards and two touchdowns, while Trufant added 104 yards and two scores on 16 attempts. Together, the pair accounted for 239 rushing yards and all four of Braswell’s rushing touchdowns.
Ward gave Crandall a strong performance of his own, carrying 27 times for 104 yards and two touchdowns.
Lewis completed 15 of 22 passes for 137 yards and one touchdown without an interception. Douglas accounted for 123 of those receiving yards.
Crandall actually won the turnover battle, 1-0, and committed fewer penalties. The Pirates were penalized five times for 35 yards compared with nine penalties for 80 yards against Braswell.
But Braswell’s ability to generate explosive runs proved decisive. The Bengals finished with 411 total yards despite throwing for only 119, and they scored touchdowns on three consecutive fourth-quarter possessions.
For Crandall, the opener showed plenty to build on. The Pirates led during the third quarter, responded after falling behind in the fourth and received productive nights from Ward, Douglas and Lewis.
The issue Friday was finishing.
Crandall held a 24-21 lead with fewer than 10 minutes remaining, but Braswell controlled the final stretch, scoring twice while keeping the Pirates off the scoreboard to secure the 35-24 victory.
