How do you top making the game-winning field goal for your team with less than two minutes to play? If you're Denham Springs junior Jonathan Bravo, you simply take advantage of the opportunity that presents itself the very next game.
A week after Bravo booted the game-winner in a 16-13 win over Woodlawn, he was called on to be the difference-maker when the Yellow Jackets hosted East Ascension for their District 5-5A opener.
Take advantage, he did.
East Ascension had tied the game 17-17 on a touchdown with 25 seconds left to play. A kickoff return to the Jackets 30 left only 18 seconds. Not much time, but still enough for quarterback Jerry Horne to connect with John Gaspard for a 44-yard completion to the EA 26.
The only remaining question was how far Bravo's field goal try would be. An offsides penalty on the Spartans moved the ball five yards closer, although it didn't look like it would have mattered. Bravo's 28-yard try was straight and cleared the crossbar with 15 yards to spare.
The situation was surprisingly similar to what the Jackets had faced the previous week against Woodlawn. In that one, the Panthers led 13-6 in the second half, but Denham Springs fought back. The Jackets tied the game and then turned to Bravo, whose 22-yard field goal with 1:32 left proved to be the difference.
Bravo credited hard work and preparation for his success against East Ascension.
"I had a good week of practice, probably the best I've had so far," Bravo said. "Our guys on the field goal unit really did their thing. They did good."
There is no way to measure the amount of pressure field goal kickers are tasked with handling when a football game is on the line, but Bravo certainly showed poise. He started off making a 34-yard field goal in the second quarter and later added the extra points after both Denham Springs touchdowns.
Jackets coach Brett Beard said he was proud of the way his team settled down after falling behind the Spartans by 10 points in the first quarter. For the second week in a row his team was resilient turning an early deficit into a win. It was also the second week his team got what it needed late from Bravo.
"I've got a lot of confidence," Bravo said.
At this point, its clear the Yellow Jackets have confidence in him, as well.