Brainerd wanted respect Friday night. And the Panthers were willing to waiting out a storm to earn it.
Brainerd dominated the first half and held on despite an hour weather delay for an impressive 33-8 homecoming win over Tyner.
“You all get to eat a little crow over the Labor Day weekend,” Brainerd coach Stanley Jackson said, referring to the Times Free Press Picks Panel that was unanimously incorrect in picking the Rams. “Didn’t nobody pick us, but we knew what we could do.
“We knew this was a pivotal game. We looked at it like a playoff game because we know Tyner has a tremendous tradition and know we have to win games like this to get to where we want to be.”
Jackson’s postgame enthusiasm was due in large part to a creative offensive attack and the do-it-all skills of senior Maleek Rooks.