H.S. football: Rondell Bradley's move to QB pays for Truman in comeback win over Bensalem

BENSALEM — Senior Rondell Bradley has long been the top target for Harry S. Truman's quarterbacks.

However, to start the fourth quarter, coach Ben Johnson decided to move Bradley under center and simply be the QB.

"I hadn't played that since I was a sophomore," said Bradley, who is listed as 'athlete' on the Tigers' roster. "But you never forget how to do it."

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Bradley actually played quarterback in a loss to Council Rock South a few weeks ago, when literally every other quarterback on the roster was hurt. But with the Tigers' offense not doing much, Bradley was moved there to provide a spark.

Getting the ball on their own 35 after a missed Bensalem field goal (the Owls made the first attempt, but it was wiped out because Truman was offside), Bradley and Jeremiah Deleon took turns running the ball as Truman moved downfield. On third down at the Owls' 13, Bradley went down the right sideline for a touchdown.

"(Johnson) called a sweep," said Bradley. "He said, 'Run the ball yourself and score a touchdown.'"

Bradley said the Tigers were always going to go for a two-point conversion if they scored. He found sophomore Jayden Sangmeister open in the right corner.

"I think they expected us to run it," said Bradley. "I told (Sangmeister) to see if they bit inside and then go wide. He did and they bit."

The Truman defense played tough despite the offense not giving them much hope of getting on the scoreboard, as they made numerous mistakes. But outside of a 21-yard touchdown pass from freshman quarterback Hollis Sanders to Zyan Greene, in the final minute of the first half, Bensalem's offense scuffled.

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"I think our defense played really well," said Bradley, who plays safety. "They just kept fighting."

The 8-7 victory snapped a four-game losing streak for the Tigers. They had lost those games by a combined score of 136-21.

"It was tough," admitted Bradley, who is receiving interest from colleges but is still awaiting an offer. "We just had to fight through it."

Three things we’ve learned:

1. The Bensalem defense was outstanding for most of the game. Truman's offense committed a lot of penalties and threw two interceptions.

2. Harry S. Truman can win even when it doesn't play a perfect game. The team had 10 penalties, were intercepted twice and had a fumble, yet stayed in striking position.

3. Although he was put into the game due to injury, Bensalem freshman quarterback Hollis Sanders showed a strong and accurate arm. It looks like he could develop into a player.

Game balls:

• Rondell Bradley, Truman, QB/S: The senior was given the keys to the Tigers offense and he literally ran with it. His running, and game-winning pass on the two-point conversion, showed his versatility. He also played a major part in Truman's defense.

• Zyan Greene, Bensalem, WR: He was able to find ways to get open, catching three passes for 46 yards, including a tough touchdown catch from Sanders for the Owls' only score.

• Jose Garcia & Michael Schneider, Bensalem, DE: The pair of linemen basically lived in the Truman backfield, each having multiple tackles for losses. Truman went wide to avoid them on their touchdown run.

They said it:

"We didn't think (Bensalem) was going to pass, (so) we prepared all week thinking it," Bradley said. "When they got (Hollis) in there, that sort of threw us for a loop for a while. But we adjusted at halftime."

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: PA Bucks High School football: Harry S Truman tops rival Bensalem