Inconsistency continues to plague Buckaroos with 48-0 loss to Jim Ned

October 20

21:47 2024

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By Brant Thurmond/Breckenridge Texan

The Breckenridge Buckaroos continued their District 3-3A campaign Friday evening in Tuscola as they took on the Jim Ned Indians. Trying to avoid a 0-2 start to district, the Buckaroos were hoping to find the win column for the first time this season, however it was the Indians that ultimately came away with a 48-0 win over the Buckaroos.

Cameron David gains some yardage for the Buckaroos in Friday night’s game against Jim Ned in Tuscola. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

The Bucks now turn their attention to the Comanche Indians who were defeated by the Sweetwater Mustangs 27-13. Comanche enters the game 4-3 overall and 1-1 in district, while the Bucks are 0-7 overall.

“It’s a pivotal game for Comanche and Sweetwater tonight to swing that race, but if you don’t think that Comanche isn’t going to come prepared to beat the brakes off of us, you’re crazy,” Buckaroo head coach Casey Pearce said. “We are going to have answer the bell and show up and be ready to play. You are going to see a very similar brand of football to defend (as Jim Ned).”

In Friday night’s game against Jim Ned, the Buckaroos showed signs of solid offensive production, but the consistency is still something that has been lacking.

“Like I have said over the last eight weeks, there’s bright spots, but we don’t string them together,” Pearce said. “Until we start stringing bright things together, it’s going to be rough.

“The kids showed up and competed and worked at it,” he continued. “Again, nerves early, put us in a chase mode. It’s a frustrating place to be in and a hard place to be in as a competitor, but the kids aren’t quitters.”

Defensively, Pearce said the Buckaroos were “spotty” at times.

“We forced three field goals and goal line stands, but we can’t do anything but give up points,” Pearce said. “I thought the kids competed and executed what we had planned and got after some basic run game stuff like it was supposed to be attacked, but the big dynamic runs are a pain.

“Their (Jim Ned) quarterback had a big night running the football,” he said. “It’s hard to defend that 11th guy. It’s a different dimension to defend.”

Buckaroo quarterback Joseph Juneau looks for a receiver in the second district game of the 2024 season. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

The Buckaroos quickly found themselves in a hole against the Indians as two plays into the Bucks’ opening drive, the Indians came away with an interception.

Three plays and 41 yards later, the Indians scored on a one-yard touchdown run by Aiden Ellis. The PAT was good, giving the Indians a 7-0 lead with 10:33 left in the first quarter.

A punt after three plays was the result of the Bucks’ next possession, and Jim Ned moved the ball 78 yards in eight plays to cap the drive off with a nine-yard run by Ellis. The PAT was good again and the Indians led 14-0 at the 6:17 mark of the first quarter.

The offensive struggles continued for the Bucks as they were forced to punt once again after just three plays. However, on the punt, a bad snap ultimately set up the Indians at the Buckaroos’ five-yard line.

Four plays later, the Indians stretched the lead to 21-0 with 3:17 remaining in the first quarter as Ellis scored once again from the one-yard line.

The ensuing drive for the Buckaroos proved to be the best drive of the game as the Bucks went 41 yards in 12 plays before failing to convert a fourth down attempt.

Jaime Cruz came away with an interception for the Buckaroo defense on the next Jim Ned drive; however, a lost fumble two plays into the following Buckaroo drive put an end to it.

Buckaroo wide receiver Jaime Cruz attempts to evade the Jim Ned Indians on Friday night in Tuscola. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Seven plays and 39 nine yards later, Jim Ned scored again, this time on a nine-yard run by Ellis. The PAT was good, giving the Indians a 28-0 lead with 5:05 remaining in the second quarter.

The Buckaroos were forced to punt after five plays on their next offensive series.

The Indians scored three plays later on a 50-yard touchdown run by Gray Beasley with just 26 seconds left in the first half.

Breckenridge trailed 35-0 at halftime.

The Buckaroo defense forced a field-goal on the Indians’ opening possession of the third quarter. The 37-yard field-goal by Eric Welch was good and stretched the Indians’ lead to 38-0 with 7:35 remaining in the third quarter.

Two plays into the ensuing Buckaroo drive, an interception by Jim Ned put an end to the Buckaroo drive. Four plays and 31 yards later, the Indians stretched their lead to 45-0 with another nine-yard run by Ellis.

The Bucks were forced to punt after three plays into their next series, and Jim Ned moved the ball 52 yards in 14 plays on a drive that used up the majority of the fourth quarter.

The Indians scored the game’s final points on a 20-yard field-goal by Welch with 3:26 left in the game.

The Buckaroos will host the Comanche Indians at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, at Buckaroo Stadium.

Breckenridge head football coach Casey Pearce talks to the Buckaroos during Friday night’s varsity football game against the Jim Ned Indians in Tuscola. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

District 3-3A Results

(Winners in bold)

Sweetwater (4-3, 2-0) 27
Comanche (4-3, 1-1) 13

Clyde (4-3, 2-0) 67
San Angelo TLCA (0-7, 0-2) 0

Jim Ned (4-3, 1-1) 48
Breck (0-7, 0-2) 0

District 3-3A games Oct. 25

Jim Ned at SA TLCA
Clyde at Sweetwater
Comanche at Breckenridge

The Breckenridge High School marching band entertained the crowd during halftime at Friday night’s game in Tuscola. The band competed in the Regional UIL Band Contest on Saturday, Oct. 19, in Mineral Wells, earning a Division 1 rating. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

The Pride of Breckenridge – Buckaroo Marching Band will advance to the Area competition in Denton next weekend. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

You can check out the BHS Marching Band’s 2024 show during the halftime of the Oct. 25 football game against Comanche in Buckaroo Stadium. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Cutline, top photo: Buckaroo defensive lineman Oliziah Reyes takes down the Jim Ned ball carrier in Friday night’s game in Tuscola. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)