Breckenridge Texan

By Brant Thurmond/Breckenridge Texan

The glowing “B” on top First National Bank was a welcome sign for Buckaroo fans as they made their way back to Breckenridge following the Bucks’ 33-0 win over the Jackrabbits Friday evening.

Coming off back-to-back district losses, the Buckaroos went to Bowie looking to get back to the win column Friday night. After achieving that goal, the Bucks are locked into the Class 3A playoffs with one game remaining.

Friday night was cold and rainy in Bowie, and playing on the wet field presented its share of challenges for the Buckaroos, but as head coach Casey Pearce pointed out, it was good to experience that type of weather if the Bucks want to make a run in the playoffs.

“It (the weather) was a little distracting mentally and to play in these conditions for the first time for this whole group,” Pearce said. “But we better get ready for it if we want to last and be playing ballgames during November. This is what you’re going to be dealing with, and you better figure it out.”

Offensively, the Buckaroos had a solid productive night in the running game with four of the five touchdowns coming on the ground.

“We took advantage of the opportunities that were given to us and did what we had to do to let the clock run and get this thing finished the right way,” Pearce said. “I thought the execution was not bad. We did put the ball on the ground a few times in the (optional) read game, but that’s part of it in the bad weather. We were able to run the football with our gap scheme stuff and did what we needed to do to win.”

Buckaroo Quarterback Camden Escalon hands off to Sawyer Wimberley during Friday night’s game against the Bowie Jackrabbits. It was Escalon’s first game as starting quarterback. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

“We needed to come up here and get this thing straightened back out and go home and see if we can beat the Clyde Bulldogs and see where we finish in this thing,” Pearce said. “Right now, we are in, and who knows what will happen next week. We need to control our part of it all.”

Following a punt by each team, the Buckaroos were set up in great field following a 30-yard punt return by Anson Rodgers.

On the first play of the ensuing drive, Sawyer Wimberley broke free for a 45-yard touchdown run. Wimberley connected on the PAT, and the Bucks led 7-0 with 7:22 to play in the first quarter.

The Buckaroo defense forced another punt by the Jackrabbits on their next possession, and the Buckaroo offense needed just five plays to move the ball 73 yards en route to a 32-yard touchdown pass from Camden Escalon to Alexis Franco. Wimberley’s PAT was good, giving the Bucks a 14-0 lead with 2:12 remaining in the first quarter.

Rodgers and Wimberley had runs of 20 yards and 13 yards, respectively, to help aid the Bucks on the drive.

After forcing a three-and-out on the next Bowie possession, the Bucks quickly scored on the first play of the ensuing drive with a 47-yard touchdown run. The PAT by Wimberley was no good, making the score 20-0 with just four seconds left in the first quarter.

A fake punt attempt by Bowie ended the Jackrabbits ensuing drive, but the Buckaroos couldn’t cash in on taking over possession inside Bowie territory after failing to convert fourth down.

The defense by the Bucks stood their ground once again and forced a punt on the new Jackrabbit possession, and on the first play of the ensuing offensive possession, Rodgers broke free for a 38-yard touchdown run. The PAT was blocked, and the Buckaroos led 26-0 with 5:50 remaining in the second quarter.

The offensive production for the Bucks slowed down somewhat in the third quarter with two drives that came up empty as one ended with an interception and one with a failed fourth down attempt.

Following a punt by Bowie midway through the fourth quarter the Buckaroos had to go just 19 yards following a horse collar penalty by Bowie on the punt return.

Alejandro Franco capped off a five play 19-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run for the Buckaroos. Wimberley’s PAT was good, giving the Bucks a 33-0 lead with 3:54 left in the fourth quarter.

Offensively, the Buckaroos had 325 yards of rushing on 25 carries and completed five of 10 passing attempts for 26 yards and one touchdown.

Rodgers led the rushing attack with 128 yards on four carries and two touchdowns, while Wimberley finished with 101 yards on 10 carries and one touchdown and Alejandro Franco had 73 yards on nine carries.

Camden Escalon completed five of 10 passing attempts for 26 yards and had one touchdown pass and one interception.

Alexis Franco led the Buckaroo receivers with two receptions for 32 yards and one touchdown.

Bowie finished with nine yards rushing on 34 carries and completed seven of 19 passing attempts for 61 yards.

Friday’s win moved the Bucks to 2-2 in district and 7-2 overall before the Buckaroos regular season finale against Clyde on Nov. 4.

Elsewhere in the district, Jim Ned improved to 4-0 in district with a 28-7 win over the Vernon Lions and sealed up at least a share of the district title, while Iowa Park improved to 3-1 in district with a 44-7 win over the Clyde Bulldogs.

District Results

Breckenridge (7-2, 2-2) 33
Bowie (1-8, 1-3) 0

Jim Ned (6-3, 4-0) 28
Vernon (5-4, 2-2) 7

Iowa Park (4-5, 3-1) 44
Clyde (4-5, 0-4) 7

District Standings

1. Jim Ned
2. Iowa Park
3. Breckenridge
3. Vernon
4. Bowie
5. Clyde

District 3-3A games 11-4-22

Clyde at Breckenridge
Bowie at Vernon
Jim Ned at Iowa Park

Click here to see more photos from the game.

Buckaroo wide receiver Alexis Franco breaks loose from Bowie defenders and heads toward the goal line to score the Buckaroos’ second touchdown during the first quarter. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Members of the Buckaroo Marching Band brave the rain as they perform during Friday night’s game in Bowie. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Buckaroo fans seek refuge under umbrellas as they cheer on the Bucks during a rainy Friday night football game in Bowie. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Cutline, top photo: Bowie Quarterback Brody Armstrong fumbles the football after being sacked by Buckaroo defensive lineman Isaiah Lehr during Friday night’s game. Click here to see the Breckenridge Texan’s Photo Gallery from the game. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

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