Breckenridge Texan

Fresh off their first win of the 2019 football season last week against Early, the Breckenridge Buckaroos were faced with a daunting task of trying to knock off the No. 2 ranked Wall Hawks on Friday evening at Buckaroo Stadium.

The Bucks fell short in their efforts despite a strong showing, ultimately losing to the Hawks 20-6.

Tony Baeza holds the down marker on Friday nigh, during his last game after 20 years on the “chain gang.” (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

The game was the final home game of the season, making it Senior Night and featuring the Pride of Breckenridge – Buckaroo Band’s annual light show. Additionally, the game was the last game for Tony Baeza, who has served on the “chain gang” or chain crew for 20 years, holding the down marker on the sidelines. Baeza and his wife, Angie, are moving to be closer to their daughter, son-in-law and grandchild.

The Breckenridge Texan has two photo galleries covering Friday night’s game: 2020 Senior Night at Buckaroo Stadium and Bucks Vs Wall Photo Gallery.

Although the team lost, Buckaroo Head Coach Casey Hubble said he still saw the positive things in the game and complimented the heart and fight that the Buckaroos showed against the Hawks.

“I’m proud of the kids. We were able to do some things offensively early on but just weren’t able to keep it going,” Hubble said. “Our kids have a lot of fight in them. I’m really proud of our seniors. We weren’t able to get the win on senior night, but I’m proud of the way they came out and fought.”

Despite the 20 points allowed, the defense kept Breckenridge in the game and came away with many opportunities that gave the ball to the Buckaroo offense.

“Our defense played their rear ends off,” Hubble said. “That’s a good football team, and they make you be unbelievably disciplined and know responsibilities and cover the whole field. Defensively, I’m proud of Coach Val, Coach Young, Coach Lewis and Coach Bartley. They did a great job. We didn’t quite get enough to get the win, but everyone played their tails off.”

Buckaroos quarterback Owen Woodward stands with his parents, Carey and Brad Woodward, during the Senior Night presentation before Friday night’s game. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Friday’s first half went just as planned for the Bucks with the defense forcing three turnovers and not allowing the Hawks past the 50-yard line en route to a 6-0 lead for Breckenridge.

The lone score of the first half came at the hands of freshman Jerry Lawson, who found the endzone from 36 yards out on the Bucks’ opening drive. The drive was aided in part with a 31-yard pass reception by Kyle Canada from Owen Woodward.

Following the touchdown run by Lawson, Buckaroo Logan King came away with a fumble recovery just two plays into the ensuing Wall possession.

The Buckaroos couldn’t find an answer however as they fumbled on the next drive.

Following another Wall fumble recovered by Julian Eutimio, the Buckaroos began to play keep away from the Hawks and maintained an 18-play 53-yard drive that chewed up the remaining 5:33 of the opening quarter and an additional 3:25 into the second quarter.

Despite the long drive, Breckenridge was unable to come away with any points after missing a 31-yard field-goal attempt.

The Bucks were aided on the drive with a fake punt run by Colby Stober and two 15-yard penalties.

The defense clamped down for the Buckaroos once again as Canada intercepted a pass and gave the ball back to the offense. Three plays later, Woodward’s pass attempt was picked off by the Hawk defense.

The Buckaroo turnover didn’t result in any points however as the Buckaroo defense clamped down on Wall and stuffed the Hawks on a fourth down attempt.

Four plays later the Bucks were forced to punt and give the ball back to Wall with just 35 seconds left in the first half.

The Breckenridge Buckaroos have one more shot at making it to the playoffs when they play the Clyde Bulldogs next week. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Breckenridge would take a 6-0 lead at halftime.

Wall took its first lead of the game three plays into their opening drive with a 55-yard touchdown run by Colton Diebitsch with 10:30 left in the third quarter. The PAT attempt was good, giving Wall the 7-6 lead. The two teams traded punts for most of the third quarter, before Dakota Baker came away with a Wall fumble with around 1:50 left in the third quarter.

Breckenridge continued to struggle finding any offensive rhythm and were forced to punt on the ensuing drive. The Buckaroo defense came away with a big goal-line stand and stopped the Hawks at the 1-yard line after Wall drove the ball 46 yards.

Four plays later, the Bucks were forced to give the ball back to the Hawks with a punt and just three plays into the next Hawk possession, Wall scored on a 27-yard touchdown run by Drew Morrison. The PAT attempt was good to put the Hawks up 14-6 with 6:28 left in the fourth quarter.

Another punt by Breckenridge led to a 14-yard touchdown run by Wall’s Bryson Ballard with 1:25 left in the fourth quarter.

That would be the final points scored for either team as the Bucks were stopped on a fourth down attempt.

Buckaroos coach Casey Hubble complimented the heart and fight the team put into the game against the Wall Hawks. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

The Bucks finished with 111 rushing yards on 40 attempts and completed 4 of 11 passing attempts for 59 yards and had two turnovers, while Wall finished with 334 rushing yards on 40 attempts and completed 2 of 6 passing attempts for 21 yards and had four turnovers.

The tale of tough halves was in full force for the Buckaroos who found themselves behind the chains and couldn’t establish a rhythm.

“They (Wall) played a little better, I think, and maybe we might not have,” Hubble said. “We did some things that got ourselves behind the chains, and against a team like that, when we get behind the chains, we are going to be in a little bit of a bind. We didn’t execute as good or as cleanly, and they (Wall) probably just made some adjustments.”

The loss dropped the Bucks to 1-8 overall and 1-3 in District 3-3A Division I, while Wall improved to 9-0 overall and 4-0 in district and helped the Hawks seal up the district title.

Breckenridge’s hopes of a trip to the state 3A playoffs are not completely off the table as a win over Clyde next week in the season finale could shake the standings up and create a tie for the fourth and final playoff spot.

Clyde goes into the game with a 6-3 overall record, but they are 2-2 in district, just one game ahead of Breckenridge.

Nov. 1 District Results

Wall 20 (9-0, 4-0)
Breckenridge 6 (1-8, 1-3)

Jim Ned 45 (7-2, 2-2)
Early 22 (3-6, 0-4)

Eastland 42 (8-1, 3-1)
Clyde 27 (6-3, 2-2)

Nov. 8 District games

• Breckenridge at Clyde
• Eastland at Jim Ned
• Early at Wall

Friday night’s game was the last home game of the season, and the marching band presented its annual light show during halftime. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

*Statistical numbers are unofficial at time of publication and were provided courtesy of Charlie Parker/KLXK-KROO Radio.

Story by Brant Thurmond/Breckenridge Texan

Click here to see more photos of the game action and the band’s light show.

Click here to see pictures from the Senior Night activities before the game.