The first points scored at Dona Larsen Park did not come on a pass or a run, but on the solid right leg of Boise kicker Travis Browndyke.

The 5-foot-8, 150-pound senior sent a 28-yard field goal through the uprights with 10 minutes, 2 seconds remaining in the first quarter to earn the distinction of being the first football player to score at the new facility.

“I try to think as little as possible when I am kicking,” said Browndyke, who also went 5-for-5 on PATs. “I really spent this whole day just trying to calm myself down.”

Browndyke and his teammates looked in control from the start, as the Braves bullied rival Borah for a 38-24 victory, their first against the Lions since 2009 and only the fifth victory in the past 16 meetings.

After losing to Borah by a combined score of 97-21 in their previous two games, Boise showed no mercy, scoring 24 points in the first half and leading by as much as 38-10 at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

“It was the longest fourth quarter — the longest eight minutes ever it seemed like at the end,” Boise coach Bob Clark said. “It just felt great and such a relief. The stress of this game, the stadium and what it represented, Borah.

“That was unbelievable for us, and a great victory for our high school. These kids deserve this more than anything.”

A year after rushing for a 5A Southern Idaho Conference low 703 yards, the Braves showcased their versatility, rushing for 239 yards to provide the perfect complement to third-year starting quarterback Tanner Gustavsen.

The senior, who started at receiver as a freshman, completed 15-of-24 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. Junior running back Chase Choate led Boise’s run game with 87 yards, while seniors Brett Walton and Josh Maxfield each added a rushing touchdown.

“This is awesome. It is a little different from last year when we were throwing the ball a lot,” Gustavsen said. “We were able to mix it up this year, which is really good. It kept them on their toes.”

Gustavsen and 6-5, 210-pound senior receiver Deion Hardy connected for the first touchdown pass in Dona Larsen history. Hardy caught the ball at about the 5-yard-line and scampered in for the 13-yard score with 3:43 to play in the first quarter.

“We’ve been talking about it for a while, who’s going to get the first one,” Hardy said. “To be able to do it was awesome, but it was a team effort. I’m just glad we got the touchdown at all.”

This was the first season-opening victory for the Braves since the 2005 season and already surpasses their win total from a year ago.

“The whole team was firing off on all cylinders,” said Walton, who also added three sacks at linebacker. “We had to play a great game. Borah is a tough rivalry, but we came out and out-shined them. We ran the ball down their throat. We stopped them on defense. We’re back. That’s all I can say.”

Borah revived its offense in the second half and was paced by junior receiver Kion Williams with eight catches for 224 yards and two touchdowns.

Rachel Roberts: 377-6422,Twitter: @IDS_VarsityX