Back in August, the Boyd-Buchanan Buccaneers were picked to finish fourth in Region 3-2A. As the 2015 regular season came to a close, it was Boyd-Buchanan at the top of the heap; not Marion County, not Tyner and not Meigs County. The Bucs wrapped up a perfect 10-0 run through the regular season as they trounced Silverdale Academy 49-0. They advance to the first round of the TSSAA playoffs next week. The 10-0 record was their first since 1996.
It took the Buccaneers two and a half minutes to get on the scoreboard as after a Silverdale fumble at the Seahawks' own nine yard line, quarterback Cooper Hodge ran it in from the five on the second play from scrimmage.
Boyd-Buchanan led 7-0 with 9:31 remaining in the first quarter. On their next possession, the Bucs put together a beautiful drive, mixing runs and passes. Tailback E.J.Mathews ran it in from the one yard line and with 2:20 left in the first quarter, Boyd-Buchanan led 14-0.
Early in the second quarter, Silverdale tried a little "trickeration" and it turned into six points for Boyd-Buchanan. A halfback pass was picked off in the flat and returned 72 yards for a score by Cooper Hodge, and with 10:15 left in the first half, the Bucs increased their lead to 21-0. On their next possession the Buccaneers put together another drive; again mixing running and passing as Isiah Dillard turned on the burners and hit pay-dirt from 38 yards out. The Bucs were well on their way to that unbeaten season as they led 28-0 with 4:33 left in the first half.
With the offense clicking on all cylinders and the defense also putting up points, the special teams unit was not to be denied as sophomore Kohl Henke blocked a Seahawks' punt near the goal line and recovered the ball in the end zone to put the Bucs up 35-0 at halftime.
On the first possession of the second half Boyd lit up the scoreboard again as Jeremy Borders put it in an extra gear and burst up the middle, scoring from the Seahawks' 41 yard line, and extending the lead to 42-0. After a three and out, the Buccaneers inserted the second unit offense and on their first play, quarterback Ross Wortman pitched the ball out to Michael Mincey. He took it around the right side scoring from 65 yards out, and the Bucs led 49-0 after three quarters of play.
As good as the Boyd-Buchanan offense has played this season the defense may have played a bit better. The Bucs held three different opponents to less than a hundred yards per game; Tyner, Polk County and Silverdale. The Seahawks could muster only 56 yards of offense against the Buccaneers. Through the regular season, Boyd-Buchanan had the top-ranked defensive unit in Class 2-A.
It was a great senior night for Boyd-Buchanan. Coach Grant Reynolds will say goodbye to eleven seniors when the 2015 season ends. " Our seniors have been so great to have around here, they have provided leadership for this team, and it actually started last year when they were juniors."
With the win, the top-ranked Buccaneers head into the playoffs as the top-seed from Region 3-2A and will host the winner of the game between Community and Eagleville next Friday night. The Bucs will host playoff games through the semi-finals.