Buckaroos move to 0-2 after home opener loss to Childress

September 07

20:17 2024

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By Brant Thurmond/Breckenridge Texan

Coming off a 64-0 loss to the Holliday Eagles last week, the Breckenridge Buckaroos were looking to pick up their first win of the season as they hosted the Childress Bobcats Friday evening, Sept. 6, at Buckaroo Stadium. But, despite a better showing in the second half, the damage in the first half of the game was too much to overcome, and the Buckaroos ended up with a 35-7 loss to Childress.

After last week’s loss to Holliday, head coach Casey Pearce emphasized that the Bucks needed to respond in a positive fashion. Friday’s defensive effort was much improved at times for the Buckaroos, and Pearce noted the response as a credit to that.

Buckaroo quarterback Zage Gravitt hands off the ball to running back Sawyer Wimberley in Friday night’s game against the Childress High School Bobcats. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

“That was what we needed to see out of this group,” Pearce said immediately after the game. “They did respond and try to play physical, and we got to get better. We have got a long, long way to go with this group. We have some structure on there (defensively) and some confidence in how we communicate, but it’s got to get better. We need to continue to execute. We tackled a little better in space tonight.

“Still the explosive plays set up scores, and until you can kill the explosive plays and get three-and-outs like we did at the end of the first half, it’s going to be a long night,” the coach continued. “I was excited to see how we played to finish the second quarter.”

One of the bigger highlights offensively for the Buckaroos was the opening drive of the third quarter where the Buckaroos ran 13 plays and chewed up 6:26 of the clock. The drive ultimately stalled after what would have been a 35-yard pass completion — and would have given the Bucks a first down inside the Bobcat five-yard line — was called back for an ineligible receiver down field on a screen pass.

“That’s the only thing we have done with the ball, but we are going to have to put more than just a drive together,” Pearce said. “Execution has to improve. We have to be able to create vertical seams for our running backs. We have to be able to have a threat down the field. When they (opposing teams) roll up and don’t respect your foot speed and empty the middle of the field and you can’t attack the middle of the field throwing it, it’s aggravating.”

The Bobcats needed just five plays on the game’s opening drive before they found the endzone on a 52-yard touchdown run by Kobe Sims. Cash Hightower connected on the PAT, giving the Bobcats an early 7-0 lead with 9:52 remaining in the first quarter.

Breckenridge High School junior Joseph Juneau throws a pass during the first half of the Buckaroos’ first home game of the 2024 season. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/ Breckenridge Texan)

An interception ended the Buckaroos’ ensuing possession just three plays in, however the Buckaroo defense came away with a fourth down stop of their own on Childress’ next possession.

The Bobcats moved the ball to the Buckaroo one-yard line and then a fumbled snap push the ball back to the 13-yard line. The Bucks came away with an interception by Sawyer Wimberley who returned it 18 yards. The Bucks were unable get anything going offensively and were forced to punt three plays later.

On the next Childress possession, the Bobcats capped off a nine-play 46-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run by Drake Rabe. The PAT by Juan Yebra was good, giving the Bobcats a 14-0 lead with 11:22 remaining in the second quarter.

Three plays into the next Buckaroo drive, a fumbled exchange between the quarterback and running back led to a scoop and score by Childress’ Colton Teichelman for a 54-yard touchdown. The PAT by Yebra was good, making the score 21-0 with 10:44 left in the second quarter.

Both teams traded punts on their next possessions just three plays into each drive, and following the Childress punt, a lost fumble ended the Bucks drive.

Breckenridge High School alumnus Rob Durham spent Friday night in the booth as the new announcer for the Buckaroos. Former announcer Robert Burchett left the position this year to become a high school football referee. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

The Buckaroo defense came away with another defensive stop after the Bobcats failed to convert a fourth down attempt. However, the Buckaroo offensive struggles continued as they were forced to punt with just under a minute left in the first half.

The Bucks trailed 21-0 at halftime.

Following the 13-play drive that resulted in a Breckenridge punt, the Bobcats moved the ball 78 yards in five plays, but the Buckaroo defense stood its ground once again and forced a fumble at the one-yard line that was recovered by Jack McKay.

Three plays later, the Bucks were forced to punt, which led to a seven-play 35-yard drive that ended with a three-yard touchdown run by Sims for the Bobcats. The PAT was good, giving the Bobcats a 28-0 lead with 2.3 seconds left in the third quarter.

The two teams traded punts on the next possessions before an interception ended the Buckaroos’ drive following the Bobcats’ punt.

Childress put together a seven-play 72-yard drive that resulted in a four-yard touchdown run by Logan Oldham. The PAT kick was good, making the score 35-0 with 2:08 remaining in the game.

The Buckaroos lone points of the game came on the ensuing kick-off as Ryan Mendoza returned the kick 80 yards for a touchdown. Wimberley kicked the PAT, making the score 35-7 with 1:54 left to play in the game.

Childress ran out the clock for the remaining 1:54 for the 35-7 win.

Game Stats

The Bucks recorded 27 yards rushing and completed 11 of 21 passing attempts for 69 yards.

Joseph Juneau led the Bucks rushing attack with seven rushes for 15 yards. Zage Gravitt had three rushes for 13 yards.

Sawyer Wimberley was the leading receiver with five receptions for 29 yards. Jamie Cruz had three receptions for 20 yards.

District 3-3A Opponents Results

Sept. 6 Results

(Winner in bold, District opponent in italic)

Eastland (2-0) 35
Clyde (0-2) 14

Cisco (1-1) 62
SA TLCA (0-2) 8

Jim Ned (1-1) 42
Lubbock Trinity Christian (0-1) 12

Sweetwater (1-1) 29
Midland Greenwood (1-1) 25

Comanche (1-1) 34
Llano (1-1) 21

Sept. 13 Games

Breckenridge at Cisco
Comanche at Eastland
Jim Ned at Wall
Sweetwater vs Seminole
TLCA vs Ballinger
Clyde vs Shallowater

Breckenridge High School senior Zage Gravitt hands off the ball to sophomore Hayden Mendoza in Buckaroo Stadium on Friday night. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

The Pride of Breckenridge – Buckaroo Marching Band was in full uniform for the first home football game of the season. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

The Breckenridge High School marching band entertained the crowd during the halftime of the Buckaroos’ home opener on Friday, Sept. 6. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Cutline, top photo: Breckenridge High School senior Ryan Mendoza returned a kick 80 yards for the Buckaroos’ only touchdown in Friday night’s game. Sawyer Wimberley kicked the extra point, making the score 35-7 with less than two minutes left in the game. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)