Bucks drop season-opener against Jacksboro

The Breckenridge Buckaroos got off to a slow start in the first half and were not able to keep up with the Jacksboro Tiger losing 13-0 in the season opener on Friday, August 28 in Jacksboro.

In a much-anticipated battle against the Tigers, the Bucks struggled offensively, managing only 103 yards of total offense. Bucks quarterback Henry Johnson finished the contest completing four passes on nine attempts with 19 yards. Anson Rodgers and Jerry Lawson were the leading rushers, both finishing with 26 yards rushing.

“I thought we gave ourselves chances all night to be in it, we just didn’t finish,” Casey Pearce, Head Coach said. “We needed to give our offense a chance at good field position, so we have to get better at finishing things. Offensively, we have to be better at keeping the chains moving. When you have second or third, and long, there not any good play-calling. The best offensive play-callers in the country don’t have perfect plays there. We just have to clean it up.”

The Tigers received the opening games kickoff and gained two first downs crossing midfield. After a third-down stop by the Bucks, the Tigers attempted to convert a fourth down and were stopped, turning the ball over to the Buckaroos.

A defensive slugfest ensured and saw both teams play exceptional defense throughout the first quarter.

The Tigers were able to put together a consistent drive early in the second quarter and moved the ball to the Buck’s 27-yard line.

After a sack by Jerry Lawson moved the Tigers out of field goal range, the Tigers hit on a bubble screen that scored a touchdown. The Tiger led 7-0 midway through the 2nd quarter.

The Buckaroo’s best attempt to score points came on the final possession of the first half. With the Bucks on the offensive, the team was on the attack. Moving the ball into Tigers territory, after a long run by Johnson put the Bucks into field goal range.

After a third-down stop by the Tigers, the Bucks would go for a fourthdown conversion in an attempt to score a touchdown.

With under a minute left in the half, Johnson broke the pocket and rolled to the left in an attempt to find an open receiver in the endzone. The Buck’s junior quarterback was stripped by the Tigers defense, and Jacksboro was able to retrieve the ball. The Tigers would kneel the ball to end the half.

The second half saw a common theme, the Buckaroos continued to have an inability finding consistency on the offensive side of the ball and moving the chains.

Jonas Arellano had a busy night, having five punts averaging 33.8 yards. His long punt of the 56 yards put the ball inside the one-yard line.

With the Tigers near their endzone, a fumble on a running play was nearly the play, the Bucks needed. The Tigers retrieved the fumble and continue running the clock.

With the lead, the Tigers were able to keep the ball on the ground for much of the second half and run out the clock. The Tigers scored another touchdown, but a botched snap caused the PAT to be no good.

The Tigers finished the contest with 222 total yards of offense. Rushing the ball 46 times for 193 yards.

While the Buckaroos lost the first game of the season, Pearce is still confident in the student/athletes for the remainder of the season.

“Here’s the deal, the kids competed their tails off,” Pearce said. “We stayed in the ball game and they believe in what we’re trying to do. We just have to execute, it’s about executing, trusting, and finishing.”

The Buckaroos will travel to Ballinger to face the Bearcats on Friday, September 4. The Bearcats are 1-0 after defeating the Jim Ned Indians 20-14.