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WELLSBURG -- Brooke's defensive performance improved from Week 1 to Week 2.
The Bruins got pushed around in Week 1 against Beaver Local in a 35-0 defeat.
Last week Brooke played host to Class AA power Independence. The offense is still trying to find its footing, having played through another four quarters without scoring.
But Brooke trailed only 13-0 until the fourth quarter in a game it was very-much in until late.
Indy's Sylas Nelson ran for 114 yards on 24 carries while the Patriots passing game managed only 78 yards on 9-of-20 passing.
Brooke's offense managed only 72 rushing yards and 41 passing, so the offense has been the focal point of this week's practice.
Through two week's, Dante Tulenko is the Bruins' leading rusher with 126 yards on 27 carries, an average of 4.7 per tote.
Quarterback Ty Sperringer has 50 yards on 14 carries as the team's second-leading rusher.
Through the air, Brooke is only 9-of-27 for 62 yards with four interceptions.
Yards and touchdowns will come, and head coach Casey Goff and company are hoping this week is the week the ball finally gets rolling on offense.
The Washington Patriots will make the trek to Brooke Memorial Stadium from Charlestown, bringing with them a 1-1 record that includes a 17-10 loss to Woodrow Wilson in Week 1, followed by a 34-7 victory against Governor Thomas Jefferson, an 0-1 team out of Maryland.
Against GTJ, Washington quarterback Michael Thompson finished 13-of-21 for 169 yards with an interception.
The team finished with a combined 200 yards and four touchdowns, with Thompson and Tavon Jones each rushing for 65 yards and a score on an identical 13 carries apiece.
Sophomore Allen Casey added 47 yards on eight carries.
The Patriots took the Flying Eagles to overtime in Week 1. Woodrow scored first, setting up Washington to match to force a second overtime.
But on fourth down, Bryce Ford strip-sacked Thompson to end the threat and preserve Woodrow's season-opening OT victory.
Thompson passed for 194 yards and a TD in that game, but was victimized by two interceptions while also leading the team in rushing with 52 yards on 10 carries.
He, Casey and Jones do the bulk of the work offensively, and Jones has led the team in receiving yards through two games.
Brooke's last victory came on October 13 of 2023 in a 49-23 hammering of rival John Marshall at Monarch Stadium in Moundsville.
That also marks the last time Brooke's offense has scored more than 10 points in a game.