Class 5A Blog: Brunswick football seeking a deep playoff run in 2025

The Brunswick Pirates have raised their expectations for the 2025 season as they are working to go deeper in the playoffs. The Pirates have not made it past the second round since their state championship appearance with John Willis in 1999 and have exited the playoffs in the second round nine times.

Last season’s offense was a highlight for them, and they return a good amount of young talent this year. The 517 total points is the team’s most since the 612 in 1999, and it is the second-most points scored in a season trailing only the 1999 team.

Starting with quarterback Grant Moore, he threw for 2,525 yards on 126 completions while throwing 22 touchdown passes.

The run game consists of a one-two punch from juniors Josiah Gibbons and Nigel Gardner. Gibbons last year ran for 528 yards on 52 carries, scoring eight touchdowns while Gardner put up 995 yards on 70 carries with eight touchdowns. Despite losing a dominant running back in William Heck to graduation, the Pirates run game has a strong chance to continue being an X factor on offense.

Brunswick’s receiver room also has a pair of solid players that can take the offense to the next level in Waseem Murray and Heze Kent. Murray caught 31 passes for 642 receiving yards and hauled in six touchdown receptions. Kent collected 983 yards on 41 receptions with eight touchdown catches.

The defensive side of the ball is losing a large portion of key players from last year in J’shawn Towns, Caleb Butler, Jeremiah Robbins, Chris Kimp, Lance Brown, and KJ Richardson. The guys who need to step up in place of those six players are Aviyon Addison, Antwan Kirk, and Samir Dobbins.

Addison put up 43 total tackles, four interceptions and one tackle for loss. Kirk totaled 30 total tackles, one interception, and one tackle for loss. Dobbins recorded 15 total tackles as he looks to have a breakout performance this season.

The Pirates did not have any issues adjusting to their new region last year, posting an 8-0 record against Region 1-5A and winning their ninth region title in program history. They look to win two-straight region titles for the fourth time in school history as their 2025 season begins on the road against Camden County on August 15.

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