11/20/2025
Week 13: Brownstown Ends Miners Season.
What can be said that hasn’t been said about this group of seniors, and this time as a whole in 2025. Certainly the season didn’t end as anyone had hoped, but at the same time a lot of accomplishments, and a lot of
Brownstown seemed to be a team on a mission. With nearly everyone back from a team that has won 24 games these last two years, their only loss to Linton last year.
Miners won toss, took the ball but it was immediately apparent that Brownstown’s defense was fine-tuned into what Linton does best. 6’5 295 Isaac Hutcheson, 6;2 260 Joe Roberts and 5’10 240 Ernest Harrison would be impossible to handle almost all night. Linton managed 6 yards on series one, then Oliver punted. The Braves offense is a difficult one to even know who has the ball. Such was the case as they moved from their 42 to Linton 19 in 4 plays, including 2 big runs of 10 and 18 by sophomore Lindon Lanier. However the Miner defense rose up with stops from Jimmie Wright, Paul Oliver, and Coltyn & Corey Andrews. It was a surprise to me the freshman Coltyn Andrews in the game. He had been on crutches since week 9 vs. Northview. It was also great to see Cooper Smith also in the game, although I know he wasn;t 100%. This all forced at 3th and 3, and Brownstown elected to get points on the point with their excellent kicker Nathaniel Conyer. However his kick sailed right with plenty of distance, but no good, and Linton had held off the first drive from the Braves.
Still the Miner offense floundered on the ground, and misfired on 2 passes toward Goodman. The only good news was that the pass seemed to be open, but Paul had little to no time to look or throw. Both passes were pressured by Stahl and Roberts forcing another punt from their own 22. Uh-Oh… the snap sails over Paul’s reach and into the Miner endzone where Oliver alertly kicks the ball out of the enzdzone for a safety. It’s 2-0 Braves with 6:29 in the opening quarter.
Miners now punt to give ball back to Braves per Safety rules, and it put BC in great position and the Miner 42. Braves go to air for first time but Aiden Sparks is all over the play forcing Sheffer to throw the ball away but an ineligible man down field is called. Coach Oliver declines setting up 2nd and 10. Again it’s Sparks with immediate pressure on Steffer but he manages to dump a pass to Garrison who is dropped on spot by Gamble and Oliver. 3rd down and a Steffer keeper met by Gamble and Andrews for no gain. Miner defense again rises to the need, and Steffer’s punt bounced in to the endzone.
From their own 20, Oliver looks deep to Smith at 34 but over thown due to heavy pressure from Hutcheson. Goodman is drilled for a 2 yard loss by Roberts, setting up 3rd and 12 at own 18. Paul is under immediate rush on what appears to be a busted screen. Roberts gets Oliver wrapped up but Paul spins away, and avoids a couple more Braves to fire a pass across field to Sparks for the original screen set-up. Tyler Franklin lays out a potential tackler as Sparks gets to the Miner 44 for a gain of 26 and Linton’s initial first down of the game. Soon enough it’s another 3rd and long, and another Oliver scramble to try and make a play. This time his last second pass fell short of Tripp Haynes and the Braves 47. Oliver’s punt was fair Caught at the Braves 25.
Brownstown beqins what would be a 13 play possession with 9 yard run from Sheffer, and 7 by up-back Branaman. Trey Sweany, yet another capable runner, had 2 carries for 8 yards. A 3rd and 9 carry by Lanier looks to be big gainer but Wright gets a toe to trip him up. 4th and 3 from Linton’s 42, BC shifts in a punt scenario with Sheffer back to kick, except it’s the short snap to Branaman who bulls forward 4 yards for a first down. Still the Miners stop Sheffer on 2 short gains, then Gamble and Scharbrough combined to throw Sweany for a 3 yard loss. This time 4th and 7 Sheffer scrambled frop pocket and met Corey Andrews and Paul Oliver right at the spot needed to move chains. An on-field measurement went Linton’s way just in the 2nd quarter still 2-0 Btown Central.
Linton runs a quick pass to Stephens which is ate up for a 2 yard loss, then Goodman tried to break outside only to lose 4 more on efforts from Jack Pace and Jaxson Johnson. 3rd and 16 and again Oliver under pressure this time from Harrison and his throw for Smith at the 35 is defended by Johnson again. 4th and 16 and an obvious punt, but as we’ve seen all year, Paul will make a split decision to tuck and run. In his defense I would say he’s looking to make a big play. He’s looking to get the momentum back on Linton’s side and perhaps spark the team. He also had 2 Brave’s closing in from the outside, as well as another in mid air being blocked to the ground. Honestly for a long moment I thought it was a heck of a play. From his view to the right, there wasn’t anyone there. It looked like 2 BC players were watching Paul and they around 23 with 5 jerseys charging toward them. Problem was, those red jerseys didn’t know Paul was running. Oliver went for the 1st 15 yards quickly, but remember he was at the 4 as the punter. He got past the first tackler at he 23 then a short foot race with Cassidy where he was shoved out of bounds and the Miner 28. The 28 was the original line of scrimmage, so he was still 10 yards shy of the marker Had this been 4th and 5 he’d of made it easily. As it was, Brownstown was handed a gift at Linton’s 28, and you wondered how long the Defense could keep bending and not breaking.
For whatever reason, Brownstown went to the air. Sheffer short-skipped a pass to Hunter Toppe who was open at the Miner 16. Sheffer was stopped by Andrews for 2 yards, then another shot to Toppe who battled with Stephens at the Miner 3 before the ball hit the ground. Another 4th down for Brownstown for 8 needed, and again it was Toppe that Sheffer eyed. This time the pass hit #27 right in the hands at the 1st down marker but he ball bounced right off those hands giving the Miners the ball, as well as dodging a huge bullet with 9:55 left before half.
At this point it seemed Linton could not do right offensively, and a simple hand-off on a sweep between Oliver and Smith went awry. One thinks one is gonna take it, the other thinks the other’s gonna keep it, and it falls between both. Such was the case with Owen Wischmeier falling on the loose ball and the Miner 24. Another bad position for the defense. But yet the Miner D rises up. A big stop from Gamble and Wright drop Garrison for a yard loss, the Cooper Smith broke up a Sheffer pass to Pace inside the 5. Sweany tried to get around the right end on 3rd down but was well short of the 1st down. After a time out, it was Conyer who came out to nail a 41 yard kick to make it 5-0 BC at the 8:07 mark of the 2nd quarter. Points for Brownstown, but yet a win for Linton in keeping BC out of the endzone .
Still the Offense cannot move the ball. Oliver stopped at the line by Harrison and Roberts followed by near interception by Cassidy, then a sack of Oliver by Harrison for a loss of 5, and another punt from the 25. It is a monster boot of 50+ yards sending Garrison back to his own 27. Garrison has super speed and the zipped by the initial three Miner defenders and to his right to the Braves sideline reaching the Miner 35 before going out of bound. Unfortunate for him, one of the blocks was a very visible ‘blindside’ block right at midfield by Harrison bringing out 4 flags from officials. Jacob Bredeweg took the hit, but popped right up and ran off the field, only to return on the 2nd play.
BC started from their own 40 after flag, and Branaman busted forward for 12 to start the drive. Miner defense was still fighting but Sheffer launched a 13 yard keeper on a 3rd and 9, and later a 25 yarder to the Miner 8 only stopped by Goodman. 1st down Branaman was met by Andrews and Wright for 2, the 2nd saw Sheffer being dragged down by Gamble and Andrews for an apparent sack, but Sheffer got the ball out However it was caught by Dalton Brazzell the right guard. This brought out the yellow flag and the white hat indicated clearly “Illegally touched ball” which results in 5 yard loss, as well as ‘loss of down’. So it’s 3rd and 11 to score and Branaman takes the short snapback to the 5. Braves bring in Conyers who easily converts the 22 yard Field Goal kick putting Brownstown Central up 8-0 with 2:46 before half. Yes, it was points for the Braves, but yes, Linton kept the Braves out of endzone and still a 1 score game.
The hope was that if Linton couldn’t put points up, that they’d run out the remaining time in the half, which was 2:46. Hutcheson and Wischmeier handled an Oliver run, the Roberts stuffed Sparks for no gain, and a 3rd and 8 pass to midfield for Stephens was deterred by pressure from Roberts forcing the throw to be off target. That incompletion also stopped the clock, and after an Oliver punt indicated 1:38 as Brownstown took control from their 44. Sheffer spun into a keeper that got 7 before Goodman brought him down at Linton’s 49. From there, once more, the Linton defense shut BC down. Coltyn Andrews with a drag down of Garrison at the 46, followed by a big blow from Oliver on Sheffer as he delivered a long pass incomplete at the Miner 14. Branaman then drove 2 further yards to set up 3rd and 8 but Brownstown seemed to be fine with letting the clock wind down. It was well too far for a Conyer field goal from the Miner 44, so it had to be a hail mary with just 0:06 on the clock. We all knew it. As did everyone at the Roy and watching and listening out there in internet land.
Probably the play that changed everything. Sheffer dropped back, pressure came from Oliver one one side, Scharbrough the other; Sheffer takes two steps up to the Brave 49 and lets fly. The first thing I see is three white jerseys versus two red jerseys all running together at about the 10 yard line. My brain shouts as to why we have only two that far back, and as I scan back with the help of replay…I see four Miner defenders running well behind. One at the 20, three around the 30. They are well out of the play. Had Sheffer dumped short Linton would have been well prepared. Those three receivers lined up on the right side in a triangle formation and just ran down to the endzone in tandem. The rainbow came down perfectly at the goal line with Trueblood going up with both Miner’s on either side going up as well. Perfectly placed was Lanier to the left about 4 yards in the endzone, and Brock Dean almost direct beyond the leaping three. Dean was in absolutely the crow’s nest, and there were no other Miners anywhere near. Naturally Trueblood wasn’t the true target, rather the old fashioned tip drill, but Trueblood nearly made the catch despite both Miners being there. Instead the ball bounced straight up and back.. just as you draw it up, and as everyone fell to the ground there was Dean who let the ball fall right in his hands 3 yards into the endzone to the crazed disbelief of Brownstown folks, and utter shock of Linton fans. Conyer drilled the PAT at the score at the half was 15-0 Braves.
Now, I know how it looks. 15-0 down at halftime is not the worst thing in the world of high school football. Not to the #2 ranked team who averages over 57 points a game. Linton held them without a touchdown until the most unlikely moment. The last play. Hail Mary. The big problem was no offense from Linton. Nothing to talk about other than 1 screen play that really succeeded because Paul Oliver got away from 3 Braves to make the play Seven possessions, 1 first down, a lost fumble at your own 24, a snap over the punter’s head for a safety, and a decision to fake punt on a 4th and 16 at your own 22 all are uncharacteristic things of Miner Football. Other than the Hail Mary ending of the half, the defense had not given up the long play, and while bending, had not broken. Brownstown had not done anything unexpected. A run dominant team, they reached Linton’s 12, 35, 26, 24 and 4 and had only 2 field goals to show for that. They had surprisingly passed more than suspected, and Sheffer was taking some big hits in the process.
The numbers were not good for Linton at the half. (-1) in total offense is not a number normally seen for the Miners. (-22) came on the high snap over the punter’s head, but even taking that off left a positive of 21 yards. Rushing was 13 for -3 not accounting the snap. Oliver was 2-10 for 24 yards with the 26 yard screen to Aiden Sparks the only first down Linton could get. BC had 134 on the ground, and 2 of 10 for 45 in air for a total 220. Sheffer led the Braves with 75 yards, Branaman added 47 up the gut. Dean’s 44 yard hail mary catch accounted for all but 1 yard receiving. The other a short pass to Garrison. Corey Andrews had a whopping 14 stops in the opening half to lead Linton, while Hutcheson, Pace and Roberts each had 4 tackles for the Braves. The 2nd half would hinge on if Linton could get BC off the field offensively, but more importantly what adjustments made at the half would inspire the offense to any degree of success. 15 points was two TDs distance from a tie or even a lead with two 2-points plays. Still had 24 minutes.
Even the greatest halftime speeches can be undone in a matter of seconds. I’ve been in on both sides of the coin. You take the field, the coaches coach up, you smack helmets, slap butts, tell each other it can’t possibly be like it was 1st half; that it just takes a play…just takes 1 play to turn the switch on. Then….
Well it starts with kicking to the fastest kid on the opposition. Probably the one guy you don’t want to see have the ball on a kick-off or punt return. In this case it’s Preston Garrison, who we’d see a glimpse of on an earlier punt return, if not from memory of 2024. Then you add the bobbling of the ball. Luke Miller kick had a weird non spin to it, and it took an odd bounce off of Garrison’s hands at the 20, back to his 14 when he bent down to pick it up. A freeze frame shows 5 Miners coming from all sides in their lanes ready to converge. Garrison took maybe a couple steps up then to his left a step, them juked to the right at the 17 up under the 2 charging Miners who over-ran him on the right, and hit the nitro button and suddenly, as if pulled by a zip line on 10, Garrison went right by 6 Miners to the right hash, and further to the Brave sideline by the 35. He’d outrun everyone but the kicker and safety valve Stephens. At Linton’s 47 he stuttered just a split second then hit gas against past Stephens who got a handful of jersey but not enough to get Garrison out of bounds, and he did a 360 stayed in bounds and galloped the final 30 yards to the fist pumping of Jaxson Johnson and the Braves fans along the fence row. All in all it was 86 yards. And almost as insult to injury one of the referee’s flags had accidentally fallen about the 10 to give Miner players and fans alike any hope that it would come back. It took 0:07, and combined with the 0:05 of the hail mary to end the half meant 0:12 to put 14 points on the board.
The last time the Offense took the field it was 8-0. Now 22-0. First play from scrimmage was Goodman, who was drilled by Cassidy and Wischmeier for no gain. However, Oliver hit Stephens ona quick in for a 14 yard gain and Linton’s 2nd first down of the gain up to the 34. That success was short lived as soon enough Oliver was swallowed on a 3rd and 10 pass play that saw Stahl, Harrison and Hutcheson all three reach Paul for a sack of 8. Linton’s punt set Brownstown up at their own 38.
If a hail mary to end a half, or a kick off return TD to start a second half doesn’t have you questioning the football gods, then the first play of BC’s offence should end the discussion. The snap to Sheffer in shot gun hands off to Sweany coming from WB, who inside hands off to Garrison from the other WB. This is normal BC ball movement, except this time Garrison swings it back to Sheffer at the 30 without a hint of pressure. There wasn’t a hint of coverage downfield as Sheffer launched to a wide open Jack Pace at the Miner 28. Everyone had bit on the hand-offs, and Pace at Tight End had streaked down the field untouched. The flea flicker with a bit of a twist ends up going 62 yards for another shocker of a score that with Conyer’s PAT made it 29-0 Braves. 2 offensive plays, 1 kick-off return, 21 points for Brownstown.
Now it felt the Miners’ backs were against the wall. The shell shocked feeling nearly became nuclear fall out as it seemed Coach May pulled all the stops out by pulling out the onside kick. It looked to be a total success, as multiple Braves surrounded the ball as it rolled 10 yards with nary a Miner near the pigskin. I actually had already had the recovery recorded and making my note change when I heard the announcer say ‘Dalton Reed’ with the recovery. Watching it back on replay it sure looked like BC had it and were getting up from the pile, when Dalton, to his credit, dove into the fray determined to find and take the ball in possession. Then Linton came out with a laser from Oliver to Stephens on a quick in that gained 17, and Oliver scrambled for another 11 on the next play putting the Miners at Brave 24. It was the first time Linton had seen the Brownstown side of the field all night, and the 2 first downs doubled their 1st half total. However back to back 5 yard penalties made things tough with 2nd and 20. Oliver would show his elusiveness with another 12 yard scramble then hit Stephens again with a great catch across the middle for a 1st down at the Braves 7. However Roberts dropped Oliver for a loss of 7 on 1st down, then yet a 3rd offensive penalty pushed things to 2nd and 22 a the 19. A short throw to Cooper Smith reached the 7. 3rd and goal and it was Oliver time, and Paul was able to cruise into the endzone for the Miners first score of the game. The 2 point play was nil but at 4:44 of the 3rd the home town folks finally had reason to cheer even though the scoreboard read 29-6 Braves. Linton had gone 52 yards on 8 plays with Oliver scrambling as well a passing the Miners downfield.
Miner spirits were uplifted as hope still abound, but just as quickly seemed to be stripped away. It was Trey Sweany with the hand-off busting through the line and seemingly going the distance of 65 yards, and it was a downfield block from QB Sheffer that broke Sweany free. But you never count the Miner effort empty, and several gave chase with Smith and Goodman catching up and Russell taking a big hack to knock the ball free at the Miner 14. Stephens jumped on the ball at the 12 and suddenly the breaks were going Linton’s way. But I ate my words 2 plays later as Oliver aired it out on a 2nd and 10 doing deep for Stephens at the Miner 41, but well played and easily picked off by Kye Trueblood trading turnovers at the 4 minute mark.
BC drove to the Miner 21 that included a 15 yard Sheffer run. Coltyn Andrews made a great stop on Lanier forcing a 3rd and 7, the Sheffer hit Garrison on a quick release and he easily went the 22 yards to the house, but a penalty on a different Brave receiver for offensive Pass interference brought it back, and made it 3rd and 22. Linton gave 5 back on an offsides, the it was Micah Sheffer who spun into the 2nd level and a crushing 22 yard run to the miner 10 and a 1st down. Branaman once more took the up snap to the Linton 1, with Sheffer diving in from 1 for a Braves TD with just 30 seconds in the 3rd. Conyer was good on the PAT and BC had answer the Miner score with their own and increased their lead to 36 to 6.
Linton was not ready to hang it up. Facing 3rd and 6 Paul fired to Stephens for a 12 yard completion and moving the chains to the Miner 39. This was followed up with another aerial from Oliver downfield where either Smith or Stephens could have a shot. It was Oliver Stephens who made a leaping snag of the ball, and hanging on after the hit from Trueblood at the Brave 22 yard line. Oliver hoped to keep it going with a shot to Goodman in the corner of the endzone but well played by Cassidy and broken up. The next play would be vintage Paul Oliver, and truly a moment to be remembered as the senior was chased back and to his left and nearly wrapped up by Ethan Wheeles, yet to escape rolling to his right, then cutting straight up field to score what would be his final rushing TD in a Linton Miner uniform at 10:55 on the 4th Quarter. The run of 22 moved the Miner tally to 12, where it stayed as the 2 pt pass was incomplete. BC still up 36-12
Oliver was then summoned to kick the onside attempt, and it was a great effort as the ball bounced awkwardly off of a Brave receiver and looked for a second that Linton might come away with the ball, but Garrison of BC made the catch and hung on at the Brave 39. Brownstown continued to pound the ball with runs by Eli Hutchison at up back, Sweany and Sheffer moving to the Miner 36. 4th and 3 from the 34 and Miner hopes to get BC off the field were dashed away as Lindon Lanier, the lone sophomore starter for the Braves, found open field and ran 29 yards to the 5 where Russell Goodman pulled him down. Trey Sweany went the final 5 yards for The Braves score with 6:52 remaining and another Conyer PAT put BC up 43-12.
These are the times when as a senior player it hits you like a brick to the head that your time is nearly over. This is when the years spin by your head with movie snippets from youth league to junior high to first practices as a freshman, to making the varsity under the big lights at the Roy. It all happens on the same patch of grass. The practices in the same spots you did as a little 3rd grader, in the same mud with the same goals. You look and see the many of the same teammates you had then still standing with you with the same stunned look on their faces. I know this. I’ve been there. Still 6:52 on the clock. It’s called Miner Pride. Miners facing 4th and 5 at their own 42 and it’s seniors Oliver and Smith connecting at the BC 46 for a first down. 3 plays later it’s 3rd and 14, and quick pass to Stephens at the Brave 43 out on an island. Oliver avoids the first, then second and third Brave defender and speeds his way to a Miner score a total of 50 yards. It would have been nice to have gotten the 2 point pass to Smith, but Brownstown was still playing hard as well. Brownstown 43 Linton 18.
Basically all over but the sound of the final horn at the Roy. The Braves took over near mid field after the last onside attempt failed, still with their starters in the game. Just thankful for no injuries this late with a big game for them next week with Lapel. Carries by Branaman and Sweany pushed the ball to the Miner 18. Brownstown could have likely pushed another score on the tally but sportsmanship won out at Micah Sheffer took back to back knees to ice the game and bring Brownstown Central their first Regional trophy since 2016. Good luck to the Braves as they try to get their 1st Semi-State titles and chance at 2A State Title. Certainly has been a long run for Coach Reid May!
A better 2nd half for the Miner offense, 200 total yards, but coupled with the (-1) of the opening half just a total 199. Brownstown had about equal halves, 220 in the 1st and 257 in the 2nd for a total of 477 of offense. Linton with 27 rushing yards, as mentioned (-22) on a safety, as well as 22 yards lost on 3 sacks knocked 44 off that total, but even with that accounted for Linton simply could not get anything happening on the ground. Oliver ran for his life to get any positive yards, and he had some successes to go with the losses in the 2nd half. Over-all tho he ended with 47 yards on 17 carries but with 2 TDs. The remaining totals were 9 carries for (-6) between Sparks, Goodman, and Smith. They should not hang their heads because Brownstown was for real as a defensive unit This could be their year. Paul was 11 of 25 passing for 182 and it was a banner night for Oliver Stephens finishing his senior year with 7 catches for 133 yards and a score. Sparks had 2 for 26, Smith 2 for 23. Micah Sheffer tallied 115 yards on 16 carries with a score, Trey Sweany didn’t start but had 89 yards on 8 runs with a TD. Trevor Branaman did the dirty work with 13 inside carries for 71 yards. Lindon Lanier with 6 for 62. Preston Garrison 10-20 and Eli Hutchinson 2-13. As a team they pounded dout 370 yards on 55 attempts. Sheffer was 3 of 11 but 2 of those were TDs. Jack Pace caught the fleaflicker for 62 yard score. Brock Dean caught the 44 yard end of 1st half hail mary. Garrison has the other catch for a yard.
It was the last night defensively for some stellar Miners, and Corey Andrews had a huge night with 18 tackles, although he’d trade all of that for a win. Jimmie Wright had to watch this game from the sidelines last year, but was back this year and had 9 stops. Tate Gamble just a sophomore had 8 along with Russell Goodman and Paul Oliver. Freshman Coltyn Andrews, and younger brother of Corey, got his wish to play one more time with his brother, and had 7 tackles. He had been on crutches since week 9 and thought to be lost for the season. Owen Wischmeier lead the Braves with 8 tackles at ILB, with Kye Trublood 7 from CB. A stellar defensive front of Joe Roberts (6 Tckls, 3 TFL), Isaac Hutcheson (5 tckl 1 TFL .5 sack) and Ernest Harrison (5 tckls, 1.5 sack) were impenetrable. Jack Pace and Grayson Cassidy both with 5 tackles. The majority of the starters on the field on both sides of the ball for Brownstown Central were on that field on 2024 when Linton came back to win in the final minute. I am sure this was something those seniors thought about all year.
I will have more thoughts on this group of Linton seniors…and certainly on those underclassmen who will pick up the axe and carry on. It is a large group of seniors and worth talking about in a separate piece. We can’t deny Brownstown Central their victory. Much like Adams Central in the state final last year, they were the dominant team, but it was great to put 3 scores up the second half to represent. I know it’s hard to not say “Yeah but, a Hail Mary” is on once in a season fluke, a double exchange flea-flicker isn’t something you see but once a year, and a kick-off return for TD to start the 2nd half is a rarity”… that without those this game would have been up for grabs. Oh I cannot disagree that those plays were huge. Going in down 0-8 without giving up a touchdown were impressive as heck for our defensive effort. All we needed was a couple big plays on our side and it truly could have been up for grabs. But the honest assessment is we couldn’t do much offensively
