SMAC football notebook: Brandon Blackwell returns from torn MCL to power Chopticon
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Version 0 of 1. Last year on Oct. 17, Brandon Blackwell wore street clothes on the home bench at Chopticon. Shrouded in a hoodie, his face was blank as he sat with left leg locked straight out. A gray brace secured the limb from hip to ankle. The Braves had begun their 2014 season on a six-game win streak, but Blackwell – then a junior running back – couldn’t help them against visiting North Point. The previous week at Westlake, Blackwell tore his medial collateral ligament, putting an end to his breakout season with four games left before the playoffs. Including that day’s game against the Eagles, Chopticon lost four of its last five while Blackwell had to sit and watch. “It was devastating, you know? It was just devastating,” Blackwell said. “I wanted to contribute.” After a diligent rehabilitation process he said took two months, Blackwell began his senior season with no doubts about regaining his speed, power and quickness. At the midpoint of the regular season, Chopticon is 4-1 and Blackwell is on pace to rush for more than 1,400 yards and 22 touchdowns. While watching his team struggle without him was painful, he refused to let his injury drag him down. “I just came out with the mindset that it wasn’t going to beat me, and I was going to perform,” Blackwell said. “Getting back to where I was before, that was tough.” No surgery was required to strengthen Blackwell’s knee. He said his confidence grew as he packed on 10 pounds in the weight room and proved he could perform at scouting combines during the summer. At 5-feet-8 and 170 pounds, Blackwell is not the most physically imposing runner. But he’s explosive. In four of five games this season, Blackwell has tallied a long run of at least 32 yards. Last week at Huntingtown, he handled a season-high 32 carries, rushed for 155 yards and scored two touchdowns to help the Braves build a 17-0 lead in the first half. Chopticon would have to run out the clock after allowing a safety and losing possession on an onside kick, but the Braves held on for a 17-15 win. Concerns over Hurricane Joaquin had pushed the game up a day, and the rain was pouring down Thursday night, but the Braves wouldn’t fall apart. Blackwell credited the offensive line made up of his “best friends.” Every day he said he congratulates them on another 100-yard game and tells them, “I love you all.” “We came together and said we have to perform,” Blackwell said. “We have to get these key first downs.” When senior receiver Riley McMullen suffered a season-ending knee injury against Thomas Stone in Chopticon’s only loss, it meant the offense would have to lean on Blackwell even more. Thus far, the running back has responded with aplomb. A disciplined defense led by linebacker Josh Rackey has established a physical brand to match the running game. On Friday, North Point will again travel to Morganza for a matchup that will determine the leader in the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference Potomac division. Blackwell will expect to see at least 20 touches. This time, he’ll leave his hoodie at home. |