Brooks bounces back, dismantles Kenwood

After suffering a disappointing 25-24 season-opening loss to Kaneland, Brooks bounced back on Thursday behind quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw and running back Cleveland Clark.

Bradshaw finished with four rushes for 97 yards and three touchdowns and was 3-for-11 for 91 yards and another score, and Clark had 156 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries as the Eagles rolled past Kenwood 43-6 at Eckersall Stadium.

“I was very pleased with the way we bounced back after that loss [to Kaneland],” Brooks coach James Brown said. ”This team has some character.

”With all the things that are going on, it was important for us to get this one.”

Clark scored the game’s first touchdown on a six-yard run that capped a 12-play, 68-yard drive. Bradshaw then scored on a 20-yard scramble before he found the end zone on a 33-yard quarterback draw as the Eagles opened a 20-0, first-quarter lead.

The Broncos scored with 2:06 remaining in the first half on a 78-yard screen play to Joseph Hill from quarterback Naglac Milhail.

Bradshaw scored on a 21-yard touchdown run with 44 seconds left, then the Eagles added a safety to take a 29-6 lead into the half.

Kenwood never mounted a challenge in the second half and the Brooks reserves saw plenty of actoin. Josh Smith scored on a one-yard run and Dakota Starks caught a 57-yard score from Bradshaw.

“It was important for us to finish strong and stay focused,” Bradshaw said.

Linebackers Josh Smith and Egypt Johnson led the Eagles’ defense with nine tackles apiece.