Just call ‘em the Big Play Bucs.
Friday night in a key District 5-A football game, Boyd Buchanan scored four of its six touchdowns on big plays – blocked punt, interception, 96 yard scoring pass and 68 yard scoring run – to defeat Copper Basin, 41-0 and improve to 2-0 in the district and 3-5 overall as Copper Basin is 4-4 and 1-1.
“It was a complete effort tonight; offense, defense and special teams,” said Boyd Buchanan coach Grant Reynolds whose Bucs have won 17 straight district games since losing to Tyner in 2008.
“We pride ourselves in going undefeated in district,” stated Reynolds as the Bucs travel to Silverdale Academy (Oct.31) with the district title on the line.
“We knew Copper Basin was big and strong and we knew we had to stop the run on the edges and, for the most part, we accomplished our goal.”
After a scoreless first quarter, the hosts put 21 points on the board in the second.
On their third possession of the game, the Bucs marched 72 yards in five plays capped by a 3-yard run by Austin Jackson, followed by a 96-yard pitch and catch from Cooper Hodge to DeMaris Macon and a recovered blocked punt in the end zone by Jacob Gambrell as Will Greer made good on all three extra point kicks.
The third quarter was more of the same as Hodge ran eight yards to make it 28-0 on the Bucs first possession of the second half and Jeremy Border returned an interception 29 yards to pay dirt for a 34-advantage as Greer was wide left on his fifth PAT attempt.
Bucs junior Isaiah Dillard closed out the scoring in style as he sprinted 68 yards for the 41-0 verdict.
“We struggled throwing the ball and Boyd was able to put 11 guys near the line to stop the run,” said Copper Basin coach Pat Daley. “Hats off to them as they are faster than us and a solid football team.”
Key First Possession: Copper Basin took the game's opening kickoff gaining three first downs by rushing for 41 yards in nine plays to the Bucs 32 ... after a delay of game penalty and an interception, the Cougars went three and out on five straight possessions and had only one more first down before intermission.
Key Bucs Possession: Trailing, 7-0, Copper Basin punted to the Boyd 4 yard line and hoped to be able to flip the field and gain good field possession after a possible Bucs punt ... but on 3rd and 10 from his own 4 yard line, Hodge connected with Damaris Macon near the Bucs 40 and Macon then outran the Copper Basin secondary to the end zone for a 14-0 lead.
Major Turnover: With 1:26 remaining before half, the Bucs punted to the Cougars 3 yard line and Carter Broome then blocked the punt recovered by Jacob Gambrell for a 21-0 lead going into the locker room.
Last Shutout Loss: The last time Copper Basin was held scoreless was in 2013 and a 41-0 loss to Silverdale, Sept. 6.
Last Shutout Win: The Last shutout win by the Bucs was 53-0 against Unaka in 2012.
Game Stats:
First Downs: Copper Basin, 9-8
Rushing Yards: Boyd Buc, 191-151
Passing Yards: Boyd Buc, 122 - -1
Total Offense: Boyd Bud 131-150
Rushing Leader: Austin Jackson (BBS), 97 yards, 1 TD
Passing Leader: Cooper Hodge (BBS) 3-4, 122 1 TD 1 INT
Receiving Leader: Demaris Macon (BBS) 3 catches 122 1 TD
Tackle Leader: Jake Harden (BBS) 10 tackles (8 solo) 2 TFL; Kohl Henke (BBS) 6.5 tackles, 1 INT
Third Down Conversions: BBS (3 of 5) Copper Basin (3 of 15)
Fourth Down Conversions: BBS (0 of 0), Copper Basin (1 of 3)
Boyd Buchanan 41, Copper Basin 0
CB – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
BBS – 0 -21 – 13 – 7 – 41
CB (4-4, 1-1), BBS (3-5, 2-0)
2nd Quarter
BBS – Austin Jackson 3 run (Will Greer kick), 7-0, 5 plays, 72 yards
BBS – Damaris Macon 96 pass from Cooper Hodge (Greer kick), 14-0, 3 plays, 96 yards
BBS – Jake Gambrell return of blocked punt (Greer kick), 21-0, 1 play
3rd Quarter
BBS – Hodge 18 run (Greer kick), 28-0
BBS – Jeremy Borders 29 interception (kick failed), 34-0
4th Quarter
BBS – Isaiah Dillard 68 run (Greer kick), 41-0
contact B.B. Branton