Jesse Bramble may have been in a running-back-by-committee situation last season for Tottenville, but head coach Jim Munson knew he had a clear-cut star entering 2015.
"The only other time I had a running back score a touchdown on his first run for me was Cassel Smith," said Munson, referencing the workhorse who led the coach to his first city championship in 1997 before going on to play collegiately at West Virginia. "Jesse's special. He wears No. 4 for a reason."
Some teams, both at the college and high school levels, designate a jersey digit to signify that combination of leadership and talent. For the Pirates, it's No. 4. Last year, it was worn by quarterback Josh Rainey; before that, it was Munson's son, James, who'll be getting some play this fall for the Navy football team.
Smith was another in a long line of 4s. And that number took on an added dimension in Tottenville's 44-22 season-opening win at Curtis on Friday.
Four was the number of touchdowns Bramble scored. Four was also the number of different ways he reached the end zone.
After scoring on the more conventional 3-yard run with 4:01 to go in the first quarter, Bramble showed off his receiving skills when he came out of backfield and found himself in one-on-one coverage with a Curtis defender. Bramble quickly got a step and quarterback Peter Calabrese lofted the ball, hitting Bramble in stride for an 87-yard TD and a 17-0 lead.
"He has great skill, great balance," said Munson of the 6-foot, 170-pound senior. "I got on him a little bit at halftime, and he responded."
While Bramble didn't score anymore offensively, his second-half performance may have been more impressive.
After Curtis had drawn to within 17-14 midway through the third quarter, the Tot defense applied pressure on Curtis QB Quincy Barnes, whose throw toward the right was initially tipped by lineman Jahmek Murphy and into the waiting arms of cornerback Bramble.
"I could sniff the end zone," said Bramble, whose 25-yard Pick-6 reclaimed a double-digit lead for the Pirates.
"I don't have a preference either way," he said, when asked if he likes playing offense or defense more.
Of course, don't forget special teams. Bramble didn't.
Early in the fourth quarter, he fielded a punt at his 30, found an opening, and flashed 70 yards for a 30-14 Tottenville lead -- capping an achievement much more complex than a baseball cycle.
"It was an open field and I had one man to beat," shrugged Bramble. "I had good blocking and just found a seam."
Curtis head coach Pete Gambardella had said only days earlier "that the key may be how well we stop Bramble on both sides of the ball."
Gambardella could only nod his head when reminded of his pre-game comment.
"He's a helluva player," said the Warriors mentor. "He plays ... he just plays."
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