Bradley Central, ranked No. 1 in TSSAA Class 6A and enjoying one of the best regular seasons in program history, will enter rival Cleveland’s Benny Monroe Stadium with a full head of steam Friday night.
The Bears (8-0, 3-0 Region 2-6A) are undefeated this late in the schedule for just the third time ever and seeking what would be their fifth all-time region championship. The 2-6A title will be decided in next week’s home game against Bearden (6-2, 4-0), but entering the playoffs undefeated will require a ninth straight victory in the rivalry series with Cleveland (5-3, 1-2) on the road this week.
While the Blue Raiders have lost their past two region games to Bearden and Maryville, don’t expect the Bears to overlook them. Cleveland still leads the all-time series 27-21, and its 12-game winning streak from 1989 to 2008 is the longest in the rivalry. The two teams did not play one another from 1993 to 2000.
“They are explosive and fast and very multiple on offense. They are up-tempo and can give a lot of people fits,” said Damon Floyd, who is in his 18th year as Bradley’s coach. ” They play man (defense) on the back end like we do and are able to load the box and stop the run. Brayden Carroll is a guy you have to watch, but they also line up LJ Adams at receiver, and then Lucas Szymborski, Mycah Jordan, Brian Beard and Isaiah Davis all get the ball in different ways.”
Meanwhile, the Bears have held six opponents to 16 or fewer points this season, and they’re fresh off their second shutout. Fourth-year starters Tito Williams, who has committed to Northwestern, and Marcus Goree Jr. (Tennessee) have provided senior leadership.