High school football returned Thursday night, with San Carlos hosting the ALA-Anthem South Titans in a conference game – and the Braves provided an impressive season opener with their 24-12 victory, in a matchup picked by the Fiesta Bowl as its first Friday Night Showdown of the year (Judy Ferreira and Conor McCarvel of the Fiesta Bowl made the opening coin toss).

In the first quarter, San Carlos took an 8-0 lead on a rushing touchdown and two-point conversion. The Titans closed to within 2 in the second quarter on a run by senior Landon Medrano, but San Carlos’ defense stopped the Titans’ two-point try.

The Braves took an 8-6 lead into halftime, as ALA-Anthem South was unable to capitalize on a pair of fumble recoveries.

San Carlos quarterback Leshawn Browning, a junior, increased the Braves’ lead with a one-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Another two-point conversion made it 16-6. Later in the quarter the Titans cut it to 16-12 with a passing touchdown, but their two-point try was unsuccessful.

Braves senior Jayson Kenton’s fourth-quarter rushing touchdown and another two-point conversion gave the team a 24-12 lead. The Titans then moved the ball to San Carlos’ 10-yard line but turned it over on downs.

Thursday night’s win put the Braves atop Section 2A Black at 1-0. Their next game, also at home, is a Friday, August 30 non-conference match with the Mountainside Wolves.