Last season, the Brophy Broncos relied on running back Max Leonesio to power their offense. This year, with Leonesio graduated, the focus is on the passing game, evidenced in their 30-13 win over Deer Valley Friday night at Central High School to open the season.

It took a while (the score was 0-0 at halftime) but Brophy put up 24 points in the third quarter, taking advantage of Deer Valley turnovers to take over the game.

Sophomore Tyler Bruggman started his first varsity game, passing for 307 yards and three touchdowns.

Bruggman, who led the Brophy freshman team to an undefeated record in 2009, completed 19 of 41 pass attempts.

Brophy head coach Scooter Molander said Bruggman was a “very smart young man” and that he threw the ball well and had a good combination of command and presence throughout.

Bruggman said that while he was initially adjusting to the speed and intensity of a regular season game, his teammates were helpful and the offensive line had a great game.

Wide receiver Frederick Gammage had six catches for 99 yards and caught two touchdown passes in a span of 43 seconds.

Molander called Gammage a “special athlete” with great moves and said he was not surprised with the breakout performance after a solid summer of workouts put in by the junior wideout.

Sophomore Devon Allen caught five passes for 89 yards. senior Josh Dennard caught four for 86 yards and a score.

The Brophy defense stayed true to its tough mindset and forced three turnovers. Matthew Cahal and Andrew Curtis both had interceptions and Drew Maggi recovered a fumble and recorded a sack.

Defensive lineman Danny Riggs also recorded a pair of sacks as Brophy’s defensive linemen routinely got into the Deer Valley backfield.

Brophy forced a three-and-out to start the second half and then drove to the 30 yard line, where they settled for a field goal and a 3-0 lead.

After forcing a punt, Bruggman hit Dennard on two straight passes, a short drive that ended with a 36-yard touchdown that gave Brophy a 10-0 lead.

After another three-and-out by Deer Valley, Gammage scored his first touchdown, a 36-yard catch that was the only play of the drive. On the first play of the ensuing Deer Valley drive, an interception by Cahal set up Gammage’s second touchdown in less than a minute.