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Barion Brown comes through for Pearl-Cohn in 26-21 win at MBA




Pearl-Cohn senior Barion Brown (7) outruns MBA's Ryan Schmadtke (14) for a big gain on Aug. 27.Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

Pearl-Cohn senior Barion Brown (7) outruns MBA’s Ryan Schmadtke (14) for a big gain on Aug. 27.Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

What can Brown do for you?

Barion Brown can deliver the most clutch plays during the biggest matchup of the season.

The Pearl-Cohn senior four-star wide receiver did everything for the Firebirds in his season debut – a 26-21 win at MBA on Friday night.

He took direct snaps out of the wildcat, was used in jet sweeps and ran from the traditional tailback position. It was his first game back after serving a TSSAA-mandated suspension last week for being ejected during a playoff loss at Milan in 2020.

“He’s a great athlete, he can do a lot of things,” Pearl-Cohn coach Tony Burnetti said. “We just give it to him, and he gives us his all every time.”

Brown finished with 14 carries for 217 yards and two touchdowns (29 and 93 yards) that bookended the game.

The Big Red (1-1) showed promise early, as senior running back Rhett Hayles broke away from the Pearl-Cohn defense and got loose on the sideline for a 45-yard touchdown on the first possession. However, it called back due to a holding penalty and MBA was forced to punt.

Pearl-Cohn senior Jayden Robinson (6) fights off MBA defenders.Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

Pearl-Cohn senior Jayden Robinson (6) fights off MBA defenders.Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

After high-scoring season openers for the Firebirds (2-0) and the Big Red, this game was all but that.

Brown’s 29-yard touchdown capped a 9-play, 61-yard Pearl-Cohn drive. The visitors failed their two-point attempt but still led 6-0 early in the first quarter.

Neither team found much footing in the first half. MBA scored via an 8-yard run from junior Johnothan Moore, and Pearl Cohn benefitted from a crazy touchdown run from sophomore quarterback Keshawn Tarleton.

Pearl-Cohn held a 12-7 advantage at halftime.

But the Big Red came out of the break on a mission. The defense forced two three-and-outs and the offense was able to convert those stops into two touchdowns. That gave MBA a 21-12 lead with just under four minutes left in the third quarter.

“Coach never wants to get our heads out of the game, and I just tried to keep my team up,” Brown said. “’Watch this, watch that, stay in the game and make tackles.’”

Pearl-Cohn quarterback Keshawn Tarleton (bottom) scores a touchdown against MBA.Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

Pearl-Cohn quarterback Keshawn Tarleton (bottom) scores a touchdown against MBA.Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

Then, Brown did it again, and again and again. He broke off runs of 93, 36, 29 and 26 yards when the Firebirds needed him the most.

“I’m just doing what a leader does,” Brown said.

The play that arguably changed the game was a screen pass to Malachi Cromwell. The sophomore had struggled with only 47 yards on 14 carries. The screen came on a key third down late in the third quarter, with the Firebirds down 21-12.

Cromwell took it 52 yards to set up a 12-yard touchdown by senior running back Jayden Robinson two plays later. That cut MBA’s lead to 21-19 heading into the fourth.

After a fumble by Hayles, the Firebirds took over at their own six.

“We bend but we don’t want to break, and I thought they came through at the right time,” Brunetti said. “That was a big stop for us.”

The final minutes belonged to Brown. Three plays after MBA’s fumble, he broke off his 93-yard for the go-ahead touchdown.

MBA senior running back Rhett Hayles (22) tries to break a tackle from Pearl-Cohn's Kavon Coffee (21).Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

MBA senior running back Rhett Hayles (22) tries to break a tackle from Pearl-Cohn’s Kavon Coffee (21).Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

“I called for it man, with the game on the line, deep in our territory, I’m gonna make a play,” Brown said. “Whether it’s a deep ball, or from the running back position, that’s what I’m doing, I’m gonna make plays.”

On the final drive of the game, Brown had two of his biggest runs (36 and 26 yards) and then a 14-yard dash on third-and-11 to ice the game.

Pearl Cohn 26, MBA 21

PC 6 6 7 7 – 26

MBA 7 0 14 0 – 21

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

PC – Brown 29 run (6-0)

Second Quarter

MBA – Moore 8 run (7-6)

PC – Tarleton 4 run (12-7)

Third Quarter

MBA – Zoller 10 catch from Reed (14-12)

MBA – Hayles 4 run (21-12)

PC – Robinson 12 run (21-19)

Fourth Quarter

PC – Brown 93 run (26-21)

Pearl-Cohn wide receiver Barion Brown (7) breaks up the sideline past MBA senior Takis Patikas (11) on Aug. 27.Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

Pearl-Cohn wide receiver Barion Brown (7) breaks up the sideline past MBA senior Takis Patikas (11) on Aug. 27.Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

MBA's Grayson Soper (32) blocks a Pearl-Cohn player as Jack Spellman (16) looks for room to run.Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

MBA’s Grayson Soper (32) blocks a Pearl-Cohn player as Jack Spellman (16) looks for room to run.Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

MBA students support their team in a 26-21 loss to Pearl-Cohn.Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

MBA students support their team in a 26-21 loss to Pearl-Cohn.Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

MBA's Gabriel Young (8) stumbles while trying to catch a pass against Pearl-Cohn.Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

MBA’s Gabriel Young (8) stumbles while trying to catch a pass against Pearl-Cohn.Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

Pearl-Cohn's Lajairus Abernathy Robinson (44) and JaDarious Lee (56) battle with MBA linemen in the trenches.Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

Pearl-Cohn’s Lajairus Abernathy Robinson (44) and JaDarious Lee (56) battle with MBA linemen in the trenches.Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

Pearl-Cohn running back Jayden Robinson gets brought down by a pair of MBA players.Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

Pearl-Cohn running back Jayden Robinson gets brought down by a pair of MBA players.Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

Pearl-Cohn senior Barion Brown (7) tries to get past MBA's Bix Beavers (42) and Payne Daniel (2).Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

Pearl-Cohn senior Barion Brown (7) tries to get past MBA’s Bix Beavers (42) and Payne Daniel (2).Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

MBA linebacker Bix Beavers (42) breaks up a Pearl-Cohn pass.Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

MBA linebacker Bix Beavers (42) breaks up a Pearl-Cohn pass.Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

Pearl-Cohn and MBA linemen battle during Friday's game.Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

Pearl-Cohn and MBA linemen battle during Friday’s game.Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

MBA linebackers Cole Hooper and Bix Beavers tackle Pearl-Cohn quarterback Keshawn Tarleton (2).Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

MBA linebackers Cole Hooper and Bix Beavers tackle Pearl-Cohn quarterback Keshawn Tarleton (2).Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

MBA junior Johnothan Moore celebrates his touchdown against Pearl-Cohn on Aug. 27.Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville/File

MBA junior Johnothan Moore celebrates his touchdown against Pearl-Cohn on Aug. 27.Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville/File

Pearl-Cohn wide receiver Barion Brown steps out of bounds after being chased by MBA's Caidan Maddux (17).Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

Pearl-Cohn wide receiver Barion Brown steps out of bounds after being chased by MBA’s Caidan Maddux (17).Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

Pearl-Cohn quarterback Keshawn Tarleton (2) tries to reach the ball across the goal line while MBA defenders hold him back.Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

Pearl-Cohn quarterback Keshawn Tarleton (2) tries to reach the ball across the goal line while MBA defenders hold him back.Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

Pearl-Cohn senior Kavon Coffee (21) breaks up a pass intended for MBA's Jack Spellman (16).Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

Pearl-Cohn senior Kavon Coffee (21) breaks up a pass intended for MBA’s Jack Spellman (16).Jan Johnson/Main Street Nashville

 

 

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