Ball Hawk: Central’s Boston Brindley tied for state lead in interceptions

It is Ark Week. La Crosse Central and Logan are prepping for their 95th all-time meeting on the gridiron in the battle for the Ark. Central leads the series 47-40 with seven ties.

The RiverHawks have the edge on paper due to their offense putting up over 34 points a game, but the RiverHawks also quietly have one of the best defensive players in the state.

Junior defensive back Boston Brindley is tied for the state lead with seven interceptions this season, and he’s one away from tying the single-season school record.

Brindley’s teammates say he was primarily a receiver when he hit varsity last spring during the alternate season, but Central took a few injuries to the cornerback position, and the rest is history.

“He’s always an offensive guy but last year he got tossed on defense because [former senior DB] Deston Woolley went down, and Boston was like, well I don’t really know what I’m doing over here. But he got to work over there and he’s having a heck of a year,” quarterback Mason Herlitzke said.

“Lots of repetition, lots of practice, just been getting after it,” Brindley said. “Just playing good defense, being in the right spots, and the ball finds you.”

Head coach Mitch Olson said the wide receiver depth last year meant Brindley didn’t have a spot on offense, but his natural athleticism made him a good candidate for defensive back.

“After watching him move and the kinds of plays he’s capable of making, you have to find a spot for him,” he said of Brindley. “So that’s what we did last year and we could see it coming in the spring, just with some of his natural ability and his instincts…He’s a ball hawk.”

We’ll have more Ark coverage this week right here on News 8 Now Sports and news8000.com.

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