Junior quarterback Jim Cardwell ran for two touchdowns, passed for another and also returned an interception for touchdown to lead undefeated Boyd-Buchanan to a 53-0 Homecoming win against visiting Unaka Friday night in a high school football game.

The state's top-ranked D-I A team scored all four times it touched the ball in the first half and led 28-0 at intermission. The Bucs added an additonal four scores in the second half.

Unaka (1-6) had some success in moving the ball in the first half behind quarterback Michael Nave who was 3-of-4 passing for 48 yards before leaving the game with a sprained ankle.

A 17-yard Cardwell-to-Grant Mathis pass play opened the scoring for the Bucs (7-0)  as Caleb Antwine connnected on the first of three extra points. On the night, Cardwell was a near perfect 6-of 7 for 95 yards through the air..

Cardwell scampered nine yards for the second score and set up the third touchdown with his first of two interceptions at 8:52 of the second quarter.

Junior Cameron Pope reached the Unaka end zone from one yard out to make it 21-0  at 6:41 of the second quarter to cap a 7-play, 56-yard drive after Cardwell's interception.

Senior Rance Hardin closed out the first half scoring with a 15 yard scamper with 2:44 before intermission. He totaled 85 rushing yards on 12 carries on the night.

Cardwell continued the Bucs scoring parade early in the third quarter with a 35-yard interception return and a nine-yard scoring run for a 41-0 lead with 5:41 remaining in the third quarter.

The Bucs closed out the scoring as Austin Jackson had a 17-yard run and freshman quarterback Cooper Hodge ran 49 yards for his first career touchdown.

"We did our job and took care of business tonight," said Boyd-Buchanan coach Grant Reynolds.

"I thought we were mentally ready for the game and did not let all the distractions of Homecoming get in the way of playing good football."

As Good As Advertised: "Boyd Buchanan has no weaknesses on defense that I can see," said Unaka head coach Steve McKinney.

"We knew we had our backs to the wall coming in here against the state's top-ranked team. We played a lot of freshman and sophomores."

"We were able to move the ball okay in the first half, but when Michael (Nave) went down with an ankle injury in the first half, that took some of the steam out of us."

Boyd-Buchanan Homecoming: "We enjoy playing before a large crowd and in a great atmosphere," said McKinney. "I told our players that you don't get too many opportunities to play against the No.1 team in the state."

Homecoming Queen: Megan Neuenschwander ... Senior ... member of the band ... Honor Roll student .. takes AP courses .. "She is the total package," said one Boyd-Buchanan parent.

New Tradition: The Bucs players stand before their fans and sing the school's alma mater after each win

Boyd-Buchanan 53, Unaka 0

Unaka 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0

Boyd-Buc 14 - 14 - 13 - 12 -- 53  

BBS - Grant Mathis 17 pass from Jim Cardwell (Caleb Antwine kick), 7-0,  8:29 (8 plays, 58 yards...1st Q

BBS - Cardwell 9 run (Antwine kick), 14-0, 1:44 (7 plays, 1:07) ... 1st Q 

BBS - Cameron Pope 1 run (Antwine kick), 21-0, 6:41 (7 plays, 2:11) ... 2nd Q

BBS - Rance Hardin 15 run (Antwine kick), 28-0, 2:44  (5 plays, 1:51)... 2nd Q

BBS - Cardwell 35 interception return (kick failed), 34-0, 10:37 (1 play) ... 3rd Q

BBS - Cardwell 9 run (Brogen Baker kick), 41-0, 6:10 (4 plays, 2:33)... 3rd Q 

BBS - Austin Jackson 17 run (kick blocked), 47-0, 11:35 (4 plays, 2:22)... 4th Q

BBS - Cooper Hodge 49 run  (kick blocked), 53-0, 5:47 (4 plays, 62 yds... 4th Q

Records: No.1 Boyd Buchanan (7-0), Unaka (1-6)

Team Stats:

First Downs: BBS, 19-4

Rushing: BBS (34-277), Unaka (32-44)

Passing: BBS (6-7, 95 yds, 1 TD), Unaka 3-7-2, 48 yards)

Return Yards: BBS, 62-44

Fumbles-Lost:  BBS (0-0), Unaka (1-0)

Punts: BBS None, Unaka, 5-31 avg

Penalties: BBS (3-30), Unaka (4-30)

Individual Stats:

Rushing: BBS - Rance Hardin (12-85 yds, 1 TD), Cooper Hodge (3-55, 1 TD), Cameron Pope (9-44, 1 TD), Austin Jackson (3-29, 1TD),  (Jim Cardwell (3-19, 2 TD)

(Unaka -  Andy Guinn (13-22 yds)

Passing: BBS - Jim Cardwell (6-7, 95 yds, 1 TD)

Unaka - Michael Nave (3-4, 48 yds); Brett Crawford (0-2, 2 INTs)

Receiving: Grant Mathis (2-28, 1TD), Rance Hardin (2-47), Damaris Macon (2-22)

 Unaka - Logan Carrier (1-19), Tyler Carrier (1-12), Cody Harding (1-17)

Interceptions: BBS - Jim Cardwell (2, one for a 35 yd TD)

 contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net