Breckenridge Texan

By Brant Thurmond/Breckenridge Texan

The Breckenridge Buckaroos wrapped up the non-district portion of their varsity football schedule with a 43-19 loss to the Anson Tigers, Friday evening at Tiger Stadium.

The Bucks closed out the first half of the season 0-5 as they head into the open week before starting District 3-3A Div. II play on Oct. 9.

In Friday’s game, the lack of emotion to start the game was one of the most noticeable as the Bucks struggled to get any momentum early in the game.

“We got find a different mode in how we work and prepare and show up,” Buckaroo head coach Casey Pearce said. “This is the most non-emotional after a week prior of us busting our tales and getting after people’s rear ends to come out and be that flat and soft. Frustrating.

“At some point, we got to be tired of losing,” he continued. “I’m sick of losing. And I’m sick of practicing and trying to prepare to win ball games and we execute that way.”

Leo Mendoza and other members of the Buckaroo defense take down the Tigers ball carrier in Friday’s game in Anson. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Anson scored the first points of the game capitalizing on a 13-play 70-yard drive to start the game, ending with a two-yard touchdown pass from Grayson Feagan to Branson Rister. The PAT was good, giving the Tigers a 7-0 lead with 7:07 remaining in the first quarter.

A punt was the result of the Buckaroos’ first drive, and the defense came away with a stop on the Tigers’ next possession.

Trailing 7-0 in the final stages of the first quarter, the Buckaroo offense had a chance to tie the score moving the ball deep inside the redzone to the Tigers’ four-yard line.

The Bucks had four downs inside the five but failed to come away with points.

The Buckaroo defense forced a punt on the next Anson possession, and, once again, the Bucks moved the ball inside the Anson five-yard line. An interception on third down ended the possession.

“There’s going to have to be a determination between our ears and in our heart to want to do it and do it every day and do it with some passion and some emotion and meaning and purpose,” Pearce said on the two possessions inside the redzone that didn’t result in points. “If we aren’t going to play with any purpose, we will continue to get the same results we are getting.”

Three plays into the ensuing Anson possession, the Tigers scored on an 82-yard touchdown run by Levii Diaz. The PAT was good, giving the Tigers a 14-0 lead with 4:14 remaining in the second quarter.

The Bucks scored their first points of the game on their ensuing drive with a 55-yard drive that ended in a 25-yard touchdown pass from Cooper Wimberley to Ryan Waller. The PAT was good, making the score 14-7 with 1:09 remaining in the second quarter.

The Tigers quickly answered with a six-play 69-yard drive that ended with a four-yard touchdown pass from Feagan to Malachi St. John. The PAT was good, giving the Tigers a 21-7 lead with 17 seconds left in the second quarter.

The Buckaroos started the second half on offense and, after picking up a first down, failed to convert fourth down four plays later.

Anson quickly capitalized on the first play of the next drive for the Tigers with a 71-yard touchdown run by Feagan.

A fumble recovered by the Tigers ended the next Buckaroo possession, but the defense came through again by forcing a punt.

Running back Hayden Mendoza gains some yards after a handoff from quarterback Cooper Wimberley as the offensive line keeps the Tigers at bay. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

The Bucks were forced to punt on the ensuing drive, but the snap sailed over the punter’s head and was kicked out of the end zone for a safety.

Buckaroo Cannon Shirley intercepted a pass by Anson quarterback Feagan on the Tigers’ next drive to give the ball back to the Breckenridge offense.

The Buckaroos moved the ball 82 yards in 10 plays and capped off the drive with a 35-yard touchdown pass from Wimberley to Waller. The two-point conversion attempt failed, making the score 29-13 with 11:11 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Bucks defense came away with a big fourth down stop on the Tigers’ next drive, which led to a nine-play drive that stretched 65 yards. Wimberley capped off the drive with a six-yard touchdown run for the Buckaroos. The two-point conversion failed once again, making the score 29-19 with 6:33 to play in the fourth quarter.

Anson responded with a 57-yard drive on their next possession and capped the drive off with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Feagan to St. John. The PAT was good, giving the Tigers a 36-19 lead with 4:52 left in the game.

The Buckaroos ensuing drive ended on a fourth down attempt.

With 2:08 remaining in the game, the Tigers regained possession and moved the ball 57 yards on six plays and scored once again with a six-yard touchdown pass from Feagan to Easton Nichols. The PAT was good, making the score 43-19.

The Buckaroos had 151 yards rushing on 31 carries and completed 20 of 37 passing attempts for 272 yards for a total of 423 yards.

Anson had 199 yards rushing on 20 carries and 267 yards passing after completing 20-43 attempts for a total of 466 yards.

The 2026 Breckenridge Buckaroo varsity football team stands at attention for the National Anthem before the game against the Tigers in Anson on Friday, Sept. 25. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

The Buckaroos run onto the field after the half-time break in Friday night’s game against the Anson High School Tigers. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Breckenridge High School senior Dirk Miller, one of the two drum majors for the Pride of Breckenridge – Buckaroo Marching Band, leads the band during the half-time performance Friday night. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Rihana Fuller, a Breckenridge High School junior, leads the band during the half-time show in Tiger Stadium as one of the marching band’s two drum majors. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

The Buckaroo drum line wraps up the half-time show Friday night in Anson. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Cutline, top photo: Buckaroo running back Jaxyn Tyson advances the ball in Friday night’s football game in Anson. He had 50 yards rushing on nine carries. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)