Welcome to TBO.com. Skip directly to: our Keyword Search, Section Navigation, Content.

TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Prep Sports

TBO > Sports > Prep Sports

Alonso 39, Brandon 7

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 5, 2009

TAMPA - Alonso quarterback C.J. Bennett wasn't perfect, but he overcame a sluggish start to lead the Ravens past visiting Brandon in the opener for both teams.

Bennett, who has committed to the University of Wyoming, was 13-for-26 for 247 yards and three TD passes. He also ran for 112 yards, all in the first half.

Jesse Anaya had two touchdown catches for Alonso.

"We played pretty well," Coach Mike Heldt said about his Ravens, who made the Class 5A playoffs last year. "We had some dropped passes and we still have a long way to go before we are perfect."

The Ravens jumped out to a 16-0 lead and appeared to be coasting as their defense spent most of the night in the Brandon backfield. Alex Rodriguez got the Ravens on the board with a 23-yard field goal.

On the next possession, Bennett ran in for a 5-yard touchdown run and, after a 10-yard pass to Anaya from Bennett, Alonso led 16-0. Brandon scored early in the third quarter on a 73-yard catch-and-run from Alan Knipple to Sean Watson, but Alonso came right back on a 52-yard pass from Bennett to Anaya.