BRANDON, Fla. — It would be so easy to give up.

 So easy to quit. So easy to leave and play for another team.

But senior Chris Braswell can’t imagine being anything but a Brandon Eagle. 

“Extremely proud,” Braswell said. “Came here middle of season last year and didn’t get to play. But we got a new team this year. We got some good kids and we’re ballin'.”

It’s not easy being a Brandon Eagle. This once proud program has fallen on hard times. A 42-game losing streak dating back to the 2018 season. In 24 of those games, the Eagles were shutout. They lost a game 2-0 earlier this season. But after every loss, these Eagles returned to the practice field.

“We play as a team,” junior linebacker Zion Alexis said. “We want to win games. That’s our only goal. Every time we lose, we get better. It’s not about the win. It’s really about how we do every other game.”

It wasn’t always like this. Newer Eastern Hillsborough County schools opening over the years thinned the participation numbers. And school district lines haven’t been kind to Brandon. Neither has school choice. 

There once was a time when people wanted to attend Brandon High School. In 1969, they were state runner-ups. In 1985, they advanced to the state semifinals. Kirk Kirkpatrick was on that state semifinal team. The former University of Florida All-American played a key role in helping develop the Eagles into a state powerhouse.

“A core group of guys said we’re not gonna be that average team anymore,” Kirkpatrick said. “And all we did was build on that. And we worked out all winter, all spring, all summer just saying that we’re going to be a better team. And we’re not going to be that average team anymore.”

In the 80s, on Friday nights, Brandon games were one of the hottest tickets in town. Kirkpatrick remembers the standing room only crowds. And it hurts to see what’s happened to his Eagles. But he sees a light at the end of the tunnel.

“Things change. Obviously the community of Brandon has so many different high schools,” he said. “We were one of the biggest high schools in the state, so we had a lot of players. But you know, they can turn it around. 

“It’s going to be an even sweeter story when you turn it around after having a 42-game losing streak and you can turn that around and you can make something nice of it. That’s when it’s special.”

That turn around happened against the Freedom High Patriots. Things were clicking for the Eagles. And as the points piled up, so did the excitement on the Brandon sideline. 

Head coach Daryl Stewart could feel it. He remembers the glory days of Brandon Eagles football. He’s a proud alum, class of 95. Once an Eagle, always an Eagle. 

And he was happy for these Eagles to finally post the W.

Streak snapped. Final score, Brandon 44, Freedom 20. 

The 44 points were more than the Eagles scored in the 2020 and 2021 seasons combined. But the past numbers don’t define this team. These Brandon Eagles have won a game. And they’re going to enjoy it.

“I’m just happy for the kids and the community,” Stewart said. “It’s been coming for a long time. And they fought. They deserved it. And hopefully it’s just a sign of many things to come. We’re going to enjoy this one.”