Bucks fight off late-game comeback

A 49-yard touchdown throw set the tone early before the Buckaroos’ defense held off a late Cisco rally to start the season 3-0 for the first time since 2010 with a 30-27 win over the 2A-I No. 6 Loboes at Buckaroos Stadium on Friday, Sept. 9.

The win marked the Bucks’ first win over the Loboes since 1999 and marked the second- straight week of defeating a ranked opponent after defeating 3A-II No. 7 Childress last week.

The game’s opening touchdown was set up by a 16-yard run on first-and-10 by quarterback Chase Lehr to the Cisco 49-yard line. Moments later Lehr found Adrian Ruiz for a 49yard touchdown throw. The Loboes’ response was the lone score until the fourth quarter. Loboes quarterback Hunter Long scored on a 6-yard run to even the score at 7-7.

Anson Rodgers scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to give the Buckaroos a 14-7 lead going into the second quarter.

Rodger’s touchdown, the first of two rushing touchdowns in the game, sparked 23-straight points by the Buckaroos, who took a 30-7 lead into the fourth quarter. Rodgers and Jerry Lawson split a pair of rushing touchdowns in the second and third quarters. Both runners combined for 145 of the Buckaroos’ 145 rushing yards on a combined 29 carries. Rodgers finished the game with nine carries for 62 yards. Lawson had 83 yards on 20 carries.

The Buckaroos scored on their first three drives. Lehr’s interception late in the second quarter ended their fourth drive just before halftime.

A 61-yard drive to open the second half ended with Rodgers in the end zone following a 14-yard run.

The Loboes’ first drive of the second half also ended with two points for the Buckaroos. A bad snap got past Long and into the end zone. Long fell on the ball for a safety.

Long scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, beginning with a 1-yard run. The extra-point kick was no good. Lehr fumbled the ball on the Buckaroos’ following possession and it was recovered by the Loboes on the Breckenridge 49-yard line. On the following play Long found Cade Gayle for a 49-yard touchdown pass. Following a successful 2-point conversion, the deficit was cut to nine points at 30-21.

The game’s final score came from long on a 2-yard run. The following 2-point conversion was no good. Cisco attempted to kick an on-side kick that was recovered by Lawson. The recovery was Lawson’s second of the game.

The game ended with the Buckaroos earning a season-high 16 first downs after earning 15 each in wins over Childress and Jacksboro.

Lehr finished the game with 9-for-13 passing for 121 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Zeke Castillo led the defense with 16 tackles, including one tackle for loss. Bryson Herring, Marco Jaramillo, Caiden Marin, Camden Escalon, Franco and Ruiz each broke up passes for the Buckaroos.

Through three games, Castillo has a team-high 37 tackles.

The Buckaroos will look to continue their best start in over a decade Friday, Sept. 16 when the team travels to Eastland.

TheMaverickswillenter the contest looking for their first win of the season following losses to Wall, Clyde and Hawley. Sophomore quarterback Isaiah Hays leads the offense. Junior wide receiver Jay Oznick has emerged as Hays’ number one target with 17 catches for 285 yards and four touchdowns through three games. Senior Derek Harris has 111 yards and one touchdown. The Mavericks have not recorded a rushing touchdown so far this season.

On the defensive end of the ball, sophomore Cayden Alford leads the Mavericks with 35 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss.

Kickoff at Maverick Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m.