Bruins Make Gibson's Debut A Success: Game one of the Greg Gibson era at Western Branch got off to just the start they had hoped, beating last year's Eastern Region Division 5 regional runner-up, the Norcom Greyhounds, by a count of 27-13 at the Art Brandriff Sports Complex in Chesapeake on Friday night.

"We wanted to make a statement," said Western Branch junior receiver T.J. Boothe. That statement is the Bruins plan to be a contender, something they haven't been since their last playoff trip in 2008 when they finished 8-3 overall. "We've spent a lot of time preparing for this season and we want to get things right this year."

The Bruins won seven games or more 16 times from 1991-2008. However, over the past three seasons, Western Branch has posted a record of 10-20, being severely snake-bitten in close games and by injuries. A total of nine of their 14 losses since 2010 have been by a touchdown or less.

When Norcom pulled within a touchdown at 20-13 and began driving into Western Branch territory in the third quarter, that uneasy feeling began to come over the Bruins again. Also, Coach Gibson, who saw his debut at Norview last year end in heart-break against Hickory when the Pilots held a double-digit lead, only to lose in overtime to the Hawks.

"I was having flashbacks from a year ago when we started sputtering a little in the third quarter offensively," admitted Gibson. "But the difference was our defense. They played stout in the third quarter when we needed them to play stout, and once we made some adjustments offensively, we were able to move the ball and get that game-clinching touchdown."

Senior tailback Josh Marriner, who is considering Old Dominion, Temple and Connecticut as his options for College Football, was the workhorse from the start for the Bruins with 133 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 20 carries in the first half alone. When Norcom's defense began to tighten the screws and gear things towards stopping him, Western Branch got lifts from its defense and the passing game.

Western Branch stopped three Norcom drives in the second half that went into the Bruins' territory, while senior quarterback C.J. Thomas put the victory away with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Boothe with 4:49 left in the fourth quarter.

More Analysis & Postgame Comments

Postgame Audio with Western Branch Coach Greg Gibson
Postgame Audio with Western Branch RB Josh Marriner

Stats:

Western Branch 27:
Josh Marriner - - 29Car. 139Yds. 2TD's (20Car. 133Yds. 2TD's in 1st Half)
C.J. Thomas - - 3-7 for 47Yds. 2-0TD/Int. ratio
Donte Shepard - - 5Car. 26Yds.
Ronnie Gardner - - 6Car. 22Yds; 1Rec. 10Yds. TD
T.J. Boothe - - 2Rec. 37Yds. TD; 2 Tackles, PBU
William Thompson - - 5 Tackles
Kenny Holland & Ray Scott - - 4 Tackles each

Norcom 13:
Darron Downing - - 10-23 for 145Yds. 1-0TD/Int. ratio; TD rush
Traquan Martin - - 9Car. 25Yds.
Aaron Parker - - 3Rec. 74Yds. TD; 2Car. 0Yds.
Kevin Jones - - 3Rec. 56Yds.
Antony 'Tweety' Styles - - 10 Tackles, 4TFL
Marquell Saunders - - 9 Tackles (8 Tackles in 1st Half)
Triquan Holman - - 8 Tackles, Sack

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Matthew Hatfield has covered Eastern Region Football & Basketball since 2004 for VirginiaPreps.com, part of the Rivals.com Network. Check out Hatfield's Twitter page for more sports related updates, and you can also read his work in the Suffolk News Herald. To contact Matthew, please e-mail hatfieldsports2k4@yahoo.com, and don't forget to listen to him on the VirginiaPreps.com Hour every Saturday at 11AM on ESPN Radio 94.1 plus watch him on the Cox 11 Sports Report.