Western Brown’s Brady “Shotgun” Sutton completes a pass during the Broncos’ week one win against Hillsboro. Photo by Wade Linville

Western Brown’s Brady “Shotgun” Sutton completes a pass during the Broncos’ week one win against Hillsboro. Photo by Wade Linville

<p>Western Brown’s Damion Valdez and Brayden Harmon celebrate a Bronco touchdown in the week one win over Hillsboro. Photo by Wade Linville</p>

Western Brown’s Damion Valdez and Brayden Harmon celebrate a Bronco touchdown in the week one win over Hillsboro. Photo by Wade Linville
<p>Western Brown’s Isaiah Smith grabs a reception in the Broncos’ week one win at Hillsboro, Aug. 17. Photo by Wade Linville</p>

Western Brown’s Isaiah Smith grabs a reception in the Broncos’ week one win at Hillsboro, Aug. 17. Photo by Wade Linville
<p>Western Brown’s Lamar Hall takes down a Hillsboro ball-carrier during the Broncos’ week one win. Photo by Wade Linville</p>

Western Brown’s Lamar Hall takes down a Hillsboro ball-carrier during the Broncos’ week one win. Photo by Wade Linville
<p>Western Brown defender Tye Spaulding marches off field after grabbing an interception in the Broncos’ week one win over Hillsboro. Photo by Wade Linville</p>

Western Brown defender Tye Spaulding marches off field after grabbing an interception in the Broncos’ week one win over Hillsboro. Photo by Wade Linville

It looked as if the Broncos were experiencing a bit of “growing pains” as the relatively young, inexperienced Western Brown varsity football team faced off against the home standing Hillsboro Indians in the season opener on Aug. 18.

The Broncos struggled early on and found themselves trailing 20-0 with 2:06 to go in the first half. But then a switch was flipped! Like the classic Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, the Broncos transformed into beasts on the gridiron.

The struggles on both sides of the ball came to an end, and the rally began.

With only 1:12 remaining in the second quarter, Western Brown’s junior quarterback Brady “Shotgun” Sutton fired away, connecting with sophomore wide receiver Justin Morgan for a 30-yard gain to move the Bronco offense to the Hillsboro 24-yard line. From there, Sutton completed a touchdown pass to Morgan to put the Broncos on the scoreboard and cut the Hillsboro lead to 20-6.

Then it was Western Brown sophomore Tye Spaulding grabbing an interception to bring the Bronco offense back on the field to work from the Hillsboro 39-yard line.

With under two seconds to go in the first half, the Broncos pulled off a successful “flea flicker” with Sutton dishing off a short pass to junior wide receiver Jayden Parker, who then threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Brayden Harmon. Following a successful two-point conversion attempt off a pass from Sutton to senior wide receiver Isaiah Smith, the Broncos had trimmed the Hillsboro lead to just six, 20-14, before the end of the first half.

The Broncos kept up the momentum in the second half, outscoring the Indians 24-7 in the half to come away with a 38-27 victory in the season opener.

Sutton proved to be a leader in his first year of stepping in as the starting varsity quarterback for the Broncos, throwing for 235 yards (16 of 26) and rushing for 143 yards. Sutton was a threat in the air and on the ground, surrounded by a crew of very talented receivers.

Smith led Bronco receivers with 120 yards off 7 catches.

Morgan had 78 receiving yards off three catches.

Harmon recorded 49 receiving yards off three catches.

Western Brown senior tight end Matthew Osborne hauled in a touchdown reception, recording 26 yards in three catches.

“They’re fighters, man,” Western Brown head coach Nick Osborne said of his Broncos’ effort in the week one win at Hillsboro. “Hillsboro returns a lot of guys. They have a lot of juniors and a lot of seniors, and I’m super proud of our kids.”