Saints’ Blackmon on Flashes’ radar|[9/01/06]
Published 12:00 am Friday, September 1, 2006
David Bradberry saw Warren Central running back Brian Darden up close a few too many times when Bradberry led the Clinton Arrows in the mid-1990s.
Now Bradberry has a running back at Class 2A St. Andrew’s who is about to pass Darden’s career touchdown mark of 79.
But don’t compare the two, Bradberry said, because there is no comparison.
“Bradford is a good back, but I always thought Brian had all the tools to be in the NFL,” said Bradberry, who led Clinton to a 1994 regular-season victory over Darden and the Vikings, the only loss in the state championship season. “Brian was one of the best. He was special.”
Blackmon is a smaller back than Darden – about 5-foot-9, 175 pounds – but has proven his ability to sniff out the end zone. In his brilliant career at the Madison Episcopal School, he has scored 78 touchdowns, while Darden scored 79 in his career at Warrren Central.
“Blackmon, in all probability, will get most of the carries, but they have a lot of other weapons at different positions that can hurt you,” said St. Al coach Jim Taylor, whose team is coming off a 12-7 victory over archrival Cathedral eight days ago. “This is the second year for their quarterback to start and they have a big, strong line. Bradberry does a great job over there.”
Taylor and Bradberry have known each other for years, having coached at Warren Central at the same time before becoming adversaries at different schools. Bradberry coached Greenwood in the 1988 state championship game against Taylor and Warren Central. Surprises, both coaches said, will be limited.
“We pretty much know what each other does,” Taylor said.
Bruising fullback Alex Halinski torched Cathedral with 179 yards and two scores last Thursday. Chris Lewis was 5-of-9 passing for 87 yards and an interception.
The Saints allowed 29 points to Yazoo County and trailed for a good part of the first half. St. Andrew’s was able to string together a couple scores late in the first half to build an advantage.
Taylor said his team finished a lackluster week of practice and he is hoping to find the solution by tonight.
“It was OK, but not as good as I would have liked,” Taylor said. “It was good for us to get that first win and the momentum of that win.”