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Midseason recap: Buckaroos prepare for district

Wed, 10/10/2018 - 12:00 pm
  • BA photo by James Norman  
    BA photo by James Norman

As the Breckenridge Buckaroos prepare for a slate of district games, they stand at 2-3. Here is a recap of the season thus far and what to look forward to.

Offensive struggles have been the achilles heel for the Bucks this season. Playing Dublin on Homecoming, it was the first game Bucks put up 20 or more points since week one, where they put up 43 against Jacksboro. Through five games, the Bucks have put up 100 points offensively. This brings their average per game to 20, but taking out game one, which accounted for nearly half of all their points, they have averaged a little more than 14 points a game, and are 1-3 in the stretch.

The Bucks got off to a good start at the beginning, winning their first two games to be 2-0. Since, they have dropped three straight. Their latest game against Dublin on homecoming was their best showing since, where they lost 22-21.

These points, however, are skewed because of unfinished drives. The Bucks have 10 turnovers on the season, averaging two per game. Five of those are interceptions, and the other five are fumbles. They have had seven fumbles on the season, but recovered two of them.

The defense has been the catalyst of this team. Some slows starts and big plays from the opposing offense inflates some of the statistics they have accumulated, but they have kept the Bucks offense in almost every game. They have been consistent in getting sacks and stopping the run. As far as long drives, there have not been many given up by the defense.

Statistic-wise, the defense has 29.5 tackles for a loss on the season, averaging six a game and 11 sacks, averaging a little more than two a game. Against Dublin they also secured a defensive touchdown late in the game. 

If the defense has struggled anywhere this season, it is through pass defense. Opposing quarterbacks they are playing have not proven consistent in throwing the ball most of the time. But against Dublin, pass defense cost the defense a touchdown on Dublin’s last drive of the game, which put them up 22-21. Coach Casey Hubble said a couple weeks ago he does not like blitzing because of the risk that comes with it. The defense has proven effective in rush defense and pass rush without it, leaving more players available on the backend. But if they cannot get to the quarterback, it has spelled trouble.

The Bucks currently sit tied for last place in district at 2-3. Clyde is also 2-3, while Early, Jim Ned and Eastland are 4-1. The Bucks will play all three of these teams over the next three weeks, with Jim Ned being the first this Friday. The last five games of the season will all be in district play. If the Bucks lose the next two games, they could find themselves out of contention for the district title.

For midseason awards, the offensive MVP has been Angel Ruiz, who has 505 yards and is averaging almost 10 yards a carry. Defensively, the midseason-MVP goes to Rance Russell, who by far has the most tackles for a loss and sacks, at 11 and five, respectively.

The Bucks will play Jim Ned on the road Friday.