HAMPDEN – In their four games leading up to Friday night’s matchup with the Broncos, Brewer’s undefeated run had come primarily through the benefit of a solid running game led by seniors Seth Emerson and Josh Caldwell.

Friday night turned out to be a coming out party for quarterback Sean Collins as the Witches proved that now they have an aerial attack to balance out their offense in their 42-0 win over Hampden.

Not that Brewer head coach Josh Emmett suddenly turned into Steve Spurrier, famous for his “Fun and Gun” offense in his days at the University of Florida. But the Brewer coach did turn Collins loose a little, allowing the senior nine passes of which he completed six for 116 yards and a touchdown. That coupled, with a running game that produced 279 yards proved to be too much for the Broncos who fell to 0-5.

“We have a three-year starting quarterback there and he’s a good quarterback. We’ve had some situations this year where it’s been more prudent for us to run the ball, the way the kids run. We knew that we wanted to get him on track, get him going. We knew some things we could do this week that would be available,” Emmett said.

“Available” was a crossing pattern run by senior Nick Fox that left him all alone 15 yards downfield. Collins’ pass was perfect and Fox did the rest, outrunning the Hampden defense to the end zone. The play covered 47-yards and capped off a 22-point first-quarter explosion by the Witches.

The Witches, 5-0, scored on their first three possessions of the game, including Fox’s touchdown catch. Collins started the scoring with a two-yard touchdown run after the Witches had taken over the ball on the H-37.

Brewer then started their next possession deep in Hampden territory at the Broncos’ 19 following a poor snap on a Hampden punt attempt. Emerson, who finished the night with 73 yards on 14 carries, ran it in from the four-yard line for the score.

“This was a week for us to open up and prove that they not only have to stop our running offense but our passing offense as well,” Collins said. “We’ve got a lot of talented guys.”

Talented indeed. Coming off the bench, for example, was junior running back Chris Noyes who quickly put everyone on notice that Brewer’s talent doesn’t end with its starters.

The speedy Noyes ripped off runs of 53 and 26 yards and he finished the night with 103 yards on just four carries.

Caldwell ran the ball 11 times for 66 yards and scored on a four-yard run. Collins added a second touchdown run on a quarterback sneak from the one-yard line.

“They’re awful quick,” Hampden coach John Sparacio said. “We’ve had trouble containing the outside.”

Sparacio also noted that Brewer’s quickness extends to its defense.

“They swarm to the ball,” Sparacio said.

The Witches held the Broncos to 140 yards in total offense. The Broncos were led by John Higgins who picked up 42 yards on nine carries.

Brewer senior linebacker Jeremiah Richter said the defense is coming along but it’s not as good as it can be.

“We made some mistakes this week but we stopped them when we needed to and that’s the same way we’ve been doing. Hopefully we’ll get to the point where we play great on every single down. For now we’re stepping it up when we need to,” Richter said.

Witches 42, Broncos 0

Brewer (5-0) 22 6 7 7 – 42

Hampden (0-5) 0 0 0 0 – 0

B – Collins 2 run (Sutherland kick)

B – Emerson 4 run (Rancourt pass from Collins)

B – N. Fox 47 pass from Collins (Sutherland kick)

B – Emerson 1 run (kick failed)

B – Collins 1 run (Sutherland kick)

B – Caldwell 5 run (McAvoy kick)