"3" was a magical number Friday night in the boyhood home of Walt Disney.
Brookfield retained the bell with a 42-0 victory against county rival Marceline, completed the regular season undefeated, and fulfilled the perfect trifecta by securing the # 1 seed in Class 2 District 8 and a first-round bye. The Bulldogs (9-0) will play the winner of the November 1st South Harrison-Lawson matchup in a district semifinals tilt on Friday, November 8, at Burlington Field.
The number was also significant within the game itself.
Kendrell Carter intercepted three passes in consecutive 2nd-quarter Marceline possessions, while Trayce Switzer became the first Brookfield quarterback to surpass 300 passing yards in the Bell Game. It was also the Bulldogs' third straight Bell Game victory (fourth win in a row, counting their 2022 playoff win).
The 'Dogs did not initially appear to be destined for a fantasy finish.
Switzer, who was limited to 38 passing yards and threw two interceptions against Milan a week ago, threw a pick in the opening drive.
Deven Norman returned the favor with an interception on an attempted screen pass. A 25-yard run by Siope Pulu and 26-yard pass to Peyton Parn had the 'Dogs knocking on the door at the Tigers' 6-yard line. Parn, who set a new school career receiving-yards mark against Gallatin, eclipsed 2000 career receiving yards with the catch.
However, the Tigers, determined to stop the Bulldogs' vaunted rushing attack, held the 'Dogs to just five yards in the next four runs.
The Tigers then moved the ball to their own 37, as the quarter ended - scoreless.
But midnight was about to approach and dash Marceline's hopes of a Cinderella ending.
Two plays into the second period, Carter picked off his first pass. Four plays later, the 'Dogs were in the end zone with Switzer's 8-yard TD pass to Hayden DeJong. The score was set up by a 45-yard pass to Peyton Parn.
Carter intercepted again moments later, returning the ball to the Marceline 3. Devan Parn's 1-yard plunge and Switzer's two-point conversion run put the Bulldogs up, 14-0.
Carter's third straight pick, which tied a Brookfield single-game record now shared by five players and most recently matched by Switzer, went for naught, as Brookfield turned the ball right back over. But two straight three-and-outs sparked fireworks via a Brookfield air attack.
Switzer first capped a 66-yard drive, featuring 63 yards on 4-4 passing to three different receivers, with a 29-yard scoring toss to Peyton Parn. with 1:38 to the half. Moments later, Switzer hit DeJong with a 52-yard catch-and-run TD. Carter added the two-point conversion, and the 'Dogs were up, 28-0, at the half.
The 'Dogs had amassed 134 yards, all but three yards via the air, and two TDs in just 50 seconds.
"That's why we work hard on the passing game," Coach Luke expressed. "We know someone is going to stack the box, but they can't stop everything."
Following a spectacular halftime drone display, Switzer continued his own "air show" with a 52-yard TD pass to Pulu, and later added a 35-yard pass play to the senior tight end, setting a new school single-game passing record. The senior quarterback ended the night with 324 yards and four TDs on 15-of-20 passing.
Carter, who was held to a season-low rushing 18 yards, scored the final TD on a six-yard run.
Peyton Parn caught five passes for 110 yards and a score, and Pulu had three catches for 98 yards and rushed for 35 yards on two carries. DeJong, who seemingly catches nothing but touchdowns, scored on both receptions for 60 yards. The senior wideout has caught eight passes for five scores this season.
Coldon Parrent (30 receiving, 11 rushing) and Kameron Perry (26 receiving, 9 rushing) combined for 76 yards.
The 'Dogs defense harassed the Tigers with seven sacks, five quarterback hurries and four interceptions in holding their fifth opponent scoreless this season. They have allowed just one TD in the past four games.
Leading the charge was Lucky Poston with 11.5 (7 solo) tackles, and Devan Parn (6 solo, 3 TFL, sack, QBH) and Cooper Holland (4 solo) with 10.5 tackles each.
Peyton Parn (5 solo, 2 sacks) collected 10 tackles, and Pulu (4 solo, 1.5 sacks, QBH) added 6.5 tackles.
Norman (4 tackles, INT, QBH) and Aidden Buckner (2.5 tackles, 2 QBH) each recorded a sack.

Story by Dennis Hughes

Clara Hoyt was 18th in the Richmond Invitational girls varsity 5000-meter run, crossing the line in 25:21.20.
Megan LaBelle was 4th in the JV girls 5K with a season-best time of 29:23.80, while Calvin Varner was 2nd in 20:45.50 and Landon Stufflebean was 7th in 26:29.80 in the boys JV race.
Trace Knowles won the boys middle school 2500-meter race in a season-best 10:05.10.

Story by Dennis Hughes

Maggie Bennett and Kierstyn Sutch proudly represented Brookfield with solid results at the 50th MSHSAA Girls Golf Class 1 State Championships.
Bennett, playing in her third state championship, carded a 210 (104, 106) on the par-72 Crown Pointe Golf Club course in Farmington. A senior, Bennett finished in a tie for 47th, improving her score by 11 strokes (2023) and 23 strokes (2022), respectively.
Sutch, in her first state championship, scored a 213 (110, 103) and was tied for 55th. Only a sophomore, the future looks bright for Sutch.

​Story by Dennis Hughes

Brookfield's volleyball season came to a close with a 25-6, 25-18, 25-4 loss to Lafayette County in the opening round of the district tournament.
Shayne Lumsden collected three receptions, three digs, two serving points with an ace, a kill and an assist, and Emma Meyer had four digs, three receptions, three points with an ace and a kill for the Lady Dogs.
Selena Curiel recorded three receptions, three digs, three points and two assists; Brylie Plagman had three receptions, three digs, a kill, a point and a block; Chezni Renshaw had a team-high seven digs and three receptions; and Mallory Black had two receptions and two digs.
Playing in the last match of her career, senior Kyliah Galloway had three receptions, three digs, an ace and a kill.

​Story by Dennis Hughes

Brookfield lost its final home volleyball match of the season, losing to Lathrop, 25-18, 25-11, 25-5.
Emma Meyer had team highs in receptions (17) and kills (5) and had seven digs and two assists, while Selena Curiel recorded a team-high 10 assists and had seven digs, a serving ace and a kill, and Shayne Lumsden had four kills, three aces, eight receptions and seven digs.
Brylie Plagman collected eight receptions, seven digs, and three kills; Kyliah Galloway had eight receptions, five digs and a kill; and Chezni Renshaw had eight receptions and three digs. 
Andi Przyblyski served two aces and had a kill in the JV's, 25-3, 25-8 defeat, and Madalynn Meyer had one ace.

Jaydin Head and Mallory Black each had a kill, and Ella Seaman had an assist.

​Story by Dennis Hughes

Clara Hoyt finished 10th in a time of 24:56.43 in the girls 5000-meter run at the Robert Kelsay Invitational held on the Salisbury Municipal Golf Course.
Megan LaBelle came home in 35:02.95.
Calvin Varner was 29th in the boys 5K, crossing the line at 21:20.27, while Landon Stufflebean came in at 27:19.16.

Story by Dennis Hughes

Clinging to a slim lead throughout much of a hard-hitting contest, Brookfield finally asserted its will, thwarting upset-minded Milan, 18-0, and claiming the Grand River Conference title.
A cat and dog fight seemed unlikely early, as the Bulldogs quickly reached the Tigers' red zone, keyed by a 13-yard run by Kendrell Carter and a 20-yard pass play from Trayce Switzer to Siope Pulu. Carter scored three plays later on a four-yard burst.
Milan responded with a drive deep into Brookfield territory, but the Tigers were denied by Switzer's 4th-down pass breakup in the corner of the end zone.
The Tigers got the ball back right back with an interception at the Brookfield 27; however, they were thwarted again by another 4th-down pass breakup, this time by Ryder Techau.
The Tigers forced a Brookfield punt, and two consecutive pass plays later, Milan was again knocking on the door. But the third trip - and pass - was not the charm, as Switzer intercepted in the end zone.
The Bulldogs seemingly were going to capitalize, driving inside the Milan 10; however, the Bulldogs fumbled the ball away at the Milan 3.
The 'Dogs forced the Tigers to punt, and Devan Parn burst through the line and blocked the kick, which went out of bounds at the Milan 13. But the Tigers took it away again with another pick, as the first half drew to a close with the score still 6-0.
The Tigers took the second-half kickoff at their 30 and methodically marched to the Brookfield six-yard line. The 'Dogs defense stiffened, as three running plays netted just three yards. An incomplete pass on 4th down ended the 10-minute drive with no points to show for it.
The Bulldogs took advantage of the Tigers' misfortune, with their own timely trek. Fueled by Carter's runs of 23, 10 and 15 yards, Brookfield reached Milan's 37. Switzer then found a wide open Pulu down the middle for a TD, but it was negated by an illegal man downfield penalty. Undaunted, the Bulldogs' continued with Carter's legwork, reaching the Milan 1, where Devan Parn capped the nearly nine-minute drive with a one-yard plunge and 12-0 'Dogs lead.
In a last-gasp effort, the Tigers reached midfield, but Switzer's second pass breakup and a sack by Peyton Parn on 4th down all but sealed the deal. 
It was secured moments later on Switzer's seven-yard swing pass and score to Coldon Parrent.
Carter, who surpassed 1000 yards for the season, finished with 166 rushing yards on 26 grueling carries, and Devan Parn added 33 yards on two totes.

Pulu rushed for 14 yards and caught one pass for 20 yards, while Switzer was held in check much of the night with 38 passing yards and 23 rushing yards.
Brookfield's defense did its part once again, not allowing an opponent to penetrate the goal line for the fourth time this season.
Peyton Parn led the charge with 13 tackles - 10 solo and two for loss, while adding a sack.
Cooper Holland collected 12 tackles (6 solo), and Devan Parn had 10.5 tackles (7 solo, 3 TFL) and a sack.
Pulu had 7.5 tackles (5 solo), Lucky Poston had seven tackles (3 solo), and Aidden Buckner recorded four tackles - two for loss, a sack and two quarterback hurries. Switzer accounted for his tough night on offense, excelling on the other side of the ball with 5.5 tackles (5 solo), two pass breakups and an interception for the Bulldogs (8-0).

​Story by Dennis Hughes

Brookfield fell to Orrick in three sets, 25-20, 25-18, 25-5, in varsity volleyball action.
Shayne Lumsden collected seven service points with three aces, 10 receptions, four kills and five digs, while Selena Curiel had a game-high five assists to go along with seven points with two aces and four digs, and Brylie Plagman had a game-high five kills, 11 receptions and five digs.
Emma Meyer had team highs in receptions (19) and digs (7) and had a kill and assist.
Chezni Renshaw had five points with an ace, an assist and five digs; Kyliah Galloway had a kill and two digs; and Avery Garr added an assist and a dig for the Lady Dogs.

The Lady Dogs lost in two sets, 25-15, 25-6, in the JV match.
Andi Przyblyski had four service points with two aces, two digs and a kill, and Chezni Renshaw had two points, two digs and a kill. Rylee White had two points and two digs; Madalynn Meyer had three digs; and Natalie Hedrick had a point and an assist.
 
Story by Dennis Hughes

Brookfield's season came to a bitter end with a narrow 7-6 defeat to cross-county nemesis Marceline in the semifinals of the district softball tournament.
The Lady Bulldogs got off to a good start with Mya Sackrey's solo shot, her sixth home run of the season. The Tigers answered with a run in their half of the frame.
Gracyn Beckman's RBI single in the second put the 'Dogs up, 2-1, but Marceline responded again with a run in the bottom of the inning. 
The 'Dogs bats were silenced over the next four innings, as the Tigers scored a pair of runs in the third and three more in the fifth to move ahead 7-2.
But the Bulldogs were undaunted.
Kaecen Brown doubled to start the seventh inning. An error bookended by a pair of walks plated two runs, and Ashlyn Calvert's two-out, two-run single drew Brookfield to within one run. The Tigers managed to secure the final out, however, to end the game.
One game shy of the district title game, the Lady Dogs were undoubtedly disappointed.
"It's rough, but they were in the game all seven innings and never quit, "a proud Coach Corf said. "Each member of our team stepped up and contributed in some way."

Mya Sackrey added two walks to her HR, while Greenlee McCollum had a single, RBI and scored a run. Brown had a stolen base and scored a run to go along with her double; Emree Littrell walked, stole a base and scored a run; and Calvert added a run.
The Lady Dogs finished a great season at 16-8, its best mark in ten years.

Story by Dennis Hughes