Despite strongest game yet, Buckaroos fall to Comanche, 34-21

October 26

20:12 2024

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By Brant Thurmond/Breckenridge Texan

It was another tough night on the gridiron for the Breckenridge Buckaroos as they faced the Comanche Indians Friday night, Oct. 25, at Buckaroo Stadium. The Bucks, who put together arguably one of their best games all year, saw a second half lead dissipate in the late stages of the game and were ultimately defeated 34-21.

The overall competitiveness and constant battling that the Buckaroos showed Friday was one of the biggest highlights of the night, according to Buckaroo head coach Casey Pearce.

Buckaroo quarterback Joseph Juneau hands off the ball to Christian Flores in Friday night’s game against Comanche; also pictured is Sawyer Wimberley. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

“(It was) an incredible effort. We were a bunch of underdogs,” Pearce said. “It’s the closest this program has been to beating somebody that they weren’t supposed to beat since I’ve been here. I’m proud of the way they played and battled and never quit. I’ve talked about that. The naysayers may question that, but this is a resilient group. I’m proud as heck of their effort and what they represent for this program. We are going to come out on the other side of this deal.

“All we can do is gear up and get ready for Sweetwater,” Pearce continued. “It’s going to be another physical contest. This is the first complete ball game that we have attempted to play. We got stops defensively.”

A defensive battle by both teams was the story of the first quarter as the Buckaroos came away with two fourth down stops and the Comanche defense forced one Buckaroo punt as Comanche controlled most of the first quarter clock and limited the Bucks to one offensive possession.

The Indians scored the game’s first points on an interception returned nine yards by Chance Boswell for a touchdown with 9:48 left in the second quarter. The PAT was good, giving the Indians a 7-0 lead.

Following punts by both teams, the Buckaroos scored their first points on a nine-yard pass from Joseph Juneau to Douglas White, which capped off a seven-play 41-yard drive for the Buckaroos. Sawyer Wimberley kicked the PAT and tied the score at 7-7 with 2:14 remaining in the second quarter.

The score was tied 7-7 at the halftime break.

The Buckaroo defense started the second half by stopping the Indians after just three plays and forced a punt.

On the first play from scrimmage on the ensuing Buckaroo drive, the Juneau connected with Wimberley on a 52-yard touchdown pass. Wimberly kicked the PAT and gave the Bucks a 14-7 lead with 10 minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Buckaroo Ethan Thornton sacks Comanche quarterback Cayden Davis in Buckaroo Stadium on Friday, Oct. 25; also pictured is Comanche’s Ethan Dease. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Notably, this was the first time all season that the Buckaroos have held a lead at any point during a game, and a different vibe on the sidelines with the players was evident in the way the players were reacting and enjoying the moment.

“It’s what we have been working for,” Pearce said. “That emotional piece was there and enjoying playing and doing your job. It’s like I’ve told them, all the work you are putting in is like putting money in the bank. That’s the closest we have been to cashing it in.”

The Buckaroo defense came away with another fourth down stop on the next Comanche drive, however a punt three plays later put an end to the Buckaroos next possession.

Two plays later, the Indians scored on a 53-yard run by Cayden Davis. The PAT was good, tying the score at 14-14 with 4:53 left in the third quarter.

The Bucks moved the ball 54 yards in nine plays on their next possession, however a 38-yard field-goal attempt by Wimberley sailed right of the uprights and the Bucks came away with no points.

Comanche regained the lead following a seven-play 80-yard drive that was capped off with a nine-yard run by Ladainian Smith for the Indians. The PAT was good, giving the Indians a 21-14 lead with 9:42 left to play in the game.

Buckaroo running back Sawyer Wimberley evades Comanche’s Ethan Dease. Wimberley scored two touchdowns in Friday night’s game. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

A punt was the result of the next Buckaroo drive, which led to a 10-play 96-yard drive by the Indians. The Indians capped off the drive with a 32-yard touchdown run by Alex Terrell. The PAT was no good, making the score 27-14 with 1:41 remaining in the game.

The Bucks scored three plays later on a 44-yard pass from Juneau to Wimberly, which capped off a 73-yard drive. Wimberley accounted for all of the 73 yards on the drive. He also connected on the PAT, cutting the Indian lead to 27-21 with 1:09 to play in the game.

On the ensuing onside kick attempt, Terrell recovered for the Indians and returned the kick 55 yards for a touchdown with exactly one minute left in the fourth quarter. The PAT was good, giving the Indians a 34-21 lead.

“I’ve seen that done one other time, and I was on the other side of it,” Pearce said of the onside kick returned for a touchdown.

The Bucks drove the ball 43 yards in five plays, but an interception put an end to the drive and seal the win for the Indians.

Even though it wasn’t the result the Bucks were looking for, it was a collective team effort that was on display for the Bucks Friday night.

“Those 11 guys that were out there between those stripes were playing their tails off,” Pearce said. “I’m proud of them.”

The Bucks will now turn their attention to the Sweetwater Mustangs, who defeated Clyde, 51-14, Friday night in Sweetwater.

The Mustangs will enter the game atop the district 3-3A standings with a 3-0 record and are 5-3 overall.

Game Stats

The Buckaroos recorded 89 yards rushing and 203 yards passing, for a total of 292 yards. Comanche had 295 yards rushing and 52 yards passing, for a total of 347 yards.

Joseph Juneau led the Bucks’ rushing attack with six rushes for 30 yards. Jaime Cruz had four rushes for 25 yards, and Sawyer Wimberley had four rushes for 17 yards.

Wimberley was the leading receiver with five receptions, for 148 yards and two touchdowns. Ryan Mendoza had one catch for 27 yards, and Ayden Couger had two catches for 16 yards. Douglas White had two receptions for 10 yards and one touchdown.

For the Buckaroos’ passing game, Juneau completed 12 of 21 attempts for 203 yards, had three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Jack McKay led the Buckaroos defensively with 17 tackles — five solo and 12 assists. Cameron David had 12 tackles — seven solo and five assists, and Christian Flores had 12 tackles — three solo and nine assists. Cruz had 10 tackles, all assists, and one interception.

District 3-3A results

(Winners in bold)

Jim Ned (5-3, 2-1) 72
SA TLCA (0-8, 0-3) 0

Sweetwater (5-3, 3-0) 51
Clyde (4-4, 2-1) 14

Comanche (5-3, 2-1) 34
Breckenridge (0-8, 0-3) 21

Nov. 1 Matchups

Sweetwater at Breckenridge
Clyde at Jim Ned
SA TLCA at Comanche

District 3-3A Standings with 2 games remaining

(Top 4 make playoffs)

1. Sweetwater 3-0
2. Clyde 2-1 (tied with Jim Ned and Comanche)
2. Jim Ned 2-1 (tied with Clyde and Comanche)
2. Comanche 2-1 (tied with Clyde and Jim Ned)
3. Breckenridge 0-3 (tied with SA TLCA)
3. SA TLCA 0-3 (tied with Breckenridge)

Buckaroo running back Jack McKay looks to advance the ball during Friday night’s home game against Comanche. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Breckenridge’s Hayden Mendoza carries the ball as Jaime Cruz and other Buckaroos assist in clearing the way for him. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

The Breckenridge High School varsity cheerleaders got the crowd fired up before Friday night’s Breckenridge vs. Comanche game. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Prior to Friday night’s varsity football game, the Cheer Buddies and Young Bucks had a chance to run out onto the field, like the Buckaroos do each week. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

The Young Bucks and Cheer Buddies got to run out onto the field at Buckaroo Stadium Friday night, like their mentors, the varsity Buckaroos. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

The Pride of Breckenridge – Buckaroo Marching Band entertained the crowd during the halftime show in Friday night’s Breckenridge-Comanche football game. The band will perform their annual light show during halftime of next Friday’s game, Nov. 1, in Buckaroo Stadium. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Cutline, top photo: Buckaroo running back Sawyer Wimberley runs across the goal line in Friday night’s game against Comanche. He was the leading receiver with five receptions, for 148 yards and two touchdowns. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)