Buckaroos fight but fall to Bulldogs, 38-21

The Breckenridge Buckaroos entered the Friday night, October 9 contest looking to claim the first victory of the season. The team traveled to face the Clyde Bulldogs in the first district game of the 2020 season.

This Buckaroo contest featured an offensive explosion in the ground game and saw the Bucks run the ball for a season-high 214 yards. Jerry Lawson was the leading rusher with 15 carries for 146 yards and three rushing touchdowns. The Buckaroos finished with another season-high in total yardage(310) and points (21). Although the Buckaroos had season highs in yardage and points, the team eventually fell short of victory, losing to the Bulldogs, 38-21.

“Lots of missed opportunities and execution that went awry,” Casey Pearce, Buckaroos head coach said. “It comes down to playing hard and having some pride about how you get it done. We were hit in the mouth and didn’t respond very well.”

Facing a fourth down near their endzone, the Bulldogs pulled off a momentous game-changing fake punt. The fake punt changed the dynamics of the game, and the Bulldogs were able to score a touchdown on the drive to keep the lead against the Buckaroos.

“It’s just assignment football, and we have to force the kick,” Pearce said. “We weren’t trying to go and get the punt, we were trying to get the ball back. It’s aggravating when we let it get out like that.”

The Buck’s were able to score the second touchdown of the game after quarterback, Henry Johnson, found tight end, Logan King down the seam for a 44 yard gain. The Bucks would cap off the drive with a short touchdown run by Jerry Lawson.

The Buckaroos were coming off their bye week before the start of district play against a tough Bulldogs team.

“I thought the last ten days was the best execution we’ve had in a workout and getting after it, and it didn’t reflect tonight,” Pearce said. “It’s frustrating for all, not just coaches but the kids also. When you put that kind of time and effort into getting ready, and you don’t see it, very frustrating. We’re going to have to flush it and get ready for Early and gear it up and be better. We have to get better.”

The Buckaroos will host the second district contest against the Early Longhorns on Friday, October 16. The Early Longhorns have a 3-3 record, after a 46-14 loss against the Jim Ned Indians last Friday night in Early.

The Longhorns were coming off a 36-0 victory against the Grape Creek Eagles on Friday, September 25, and will travel to Breckenridge to face the Buckaroos.

The team also has scored victories against the Merkel Badgers, 31- 20, and Tolar Rattlers, 41- 25. The Longhorns other two losses came against the Bangs Dragons, 28-0, and Comanche Indians, 35-7.

“Early hung with Jim Ned tonight, but Jim Ned got out of there with the win,” Pearce said. “Everybody wants to beat Breckenridge, and they’ll have an opportunity if we don’t execute better than we did tonight.”