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Buckaroos continue streak with win over Eastland Mavericks

Wed, 09/21/2022 - 5:00 am

The Breckenridge Buckaroos continue to put the high school football world on notice. Following a 62-12 win at Eastland, the Bucks are off to the best start the team has experienced in decades.

Ranked ninth in Class 3AI, the Buckaroos entered last week’s matchup scoring an average of 36 points per game while giving up 16 points per game. Their 62-point output was the second time in two seasons in which the Bucks have scored 60 or more points.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Bucks scored 27 points in the second quarter and never looked back. Anson Rodgers scored the game’s first touchdown, capping a 74-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown run. Sawyer Wimberly made the first of eight extra-point kicks to give the Bucks a 7-0 lead.

The Buckaroos’ defense did its job while the special teams earned a touchdown following the Mavericks’ next drive. After the Mavericks stalled on their 41-yard line, Ridgers earned his second score of the game with a 65-yard punt return for a touchdown. The extra-point attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the Bucks ahead 13-0.

Eastland bounced back on the first play of their next drive. With a 75-yard throw from Isaiah Hays to Jay Oznick, the Mavericks were on the board and trailed 13-6 following an unsuccessful extra-point kick.

Chase Lehr scored the first of his two touchdowns on the following Buckaroos drive with a 5-yard score to give his team a 20-6 lead following Wimberly’s PAT.

Defensive miscues were rare for the Buckaroos Friday night, but the defense gave up two big-play touchdowns in the second quarter. The Maverick’s last score of the game came from a 65-yard throw from Hays to Laike Kennedy. A failed two-point conversion left the Bucks ahead 20-12.

The Buckaroos and Mavericks combined for 39 points in the second quarter. The first-half scoring was capped with a 25-yard touchdown throw from Lehr to Zeke Castillo with under one minute left in the half. The Bucks led 27-12 at halftime.

While the Mavericks’ offense could do no damage in the second half, the Buckaroos continued to extend the lead. Rodgers scored his third touchdown of the game to cap off the Bucks’ first drive of the second half. Their second score of the half, and second special teams touchdown of the game, was four plays later. After holding the Mavericks to a three-and-out, Adrian Ruiz blocked the punt and Lane Castillo returned the ball 20 yards to give the Bucks a 41-12 lead.

Jerry Lawson continued the rout with less than a minute remaining in the quarter with a 5-yard score.

Touchdowns were scored in several ways by several players for the Bucks Friday night. Camden Escalon threw a 26-yard pass to Lane Castillo for a 55-12 lead in the fourth quarter. Hunter Eaton capped off the game with a 3-yard touchdown run.

As a team, the Buckaroos earned 459 yards of total offense with 250 rushing yards on 3 9 carries and 2 0 9 passing yardson 17comple- tions.Lehr was 13-for-16 for 132 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Escalon was four-for-four for 77 yards and one touchdown.

Lawson led the Bucks’ rushing attack with 12 carries for 119 yards and one touchdown. Sawyer Wimberly has six carried for 51 yards. Braye Cantrell was the top receiver with 48 yards on one reception.

Rodgers and Zeke Castillo each had seven tackles on the defensive end of the ball. Lane Castillo finished with six tackles, including four tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

The Buckaroos will look to continue their undefeated season Friday, Sept. 23, when they host the 0-4 Benbrook Bobcats for their 2022 Homecoming match. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. For more on the 2022 Homecoming schedule, see page 8.

The Bobcats have struggled to start the season with losses to Sanger,IowaPark,Mineral Wells and Bridgeport. Sophomore quarterback Collin Thompson leads the Bobcats’ offense. Through the air, Thompson has 863 yards on 58 completions with seven touchdowns and three interceptions. He also leads the Bobcat’s ground attack with 393 yards and six touchdowns. Senior Kyler Hayes leads the Bobcat’s receiving corps with 15 catches for 279 yards and six touchdowns.