Bison gain confidence scrimmaging state-ranked Franklin Lions

Aurelio Dominguez runs low and hard up the middle. Temperatures hovered near the century mark Thursday afternoon when the BHS football teams hosted the Franklin Lions, state-ranked in the pre-season polls, in scrimmage action. Both the Varsity and sub-varsity Bison proved that they could hang in there with a talented opponent that boasted both size and numbers.

In the opening series QB Jordan Canady was able to move his team consistently, but fumbles disrupted their momentum and kept the Bison from reaching paydirt.

The Lions’ first offensive series of plays saw FHS march methodically down the field to the endzone, but they had to work hard for every yard. The Bison defense worked as a unit, consistently got three or four men to the ball for the tackles, and did not give up any big plays.

In the second series backup quarterback Ryan Read showed that last week’s pinpoint passing was no fluke, and Coach Mark Read moved Jordan Canady to wide receiver for several plays, comple- menting the backfield regulars Aaron Bell, Aurelio Dominguez and Jose Dominguez.

Aaron Bell goes high to pull down Jordan Canady’s pass, ending the Buffalo/Franklin scrimmage on a high note for the Bison. The JV men looked good, although they, too, had trouble holding on to the ball. Ty Tollett passed to David Rodriguez for a touchdown and Travis Cunningham carried for another later in the scrimmage. D.J. Jackson and Jorge Herrera picked up good gains on the ground.

BISD has contracted with an agency that will provide an athletic trainer to be in attendance at every home game in all sports, and the trainer on duty Thursday was kept busy. Esteban Espinoza left the game early with an elbow injury and Jorge Herrera came out late in the game protecting a finger.

The final Varsity se- ries was played under realgame conditions. The Bison coughed up another fumble allowing Franklin to score. Back on offense, BHS fumbled yet again, but this time Franklin immediately returned the favor and Bell recovered for the Bison. The Bison were driving to the end zone as time wound down. Aurelio Dominguez was the workhorse on the ground and the scrimmage ended with Bell going high to pull down a pass from Canady that had the crowd on their feet and looking forward to the next game.

It may have been just a scrimmage, but clearly both Buffalo and Franklin had come to PLAY. Van’Go’photo BHS picked up an opening game for the schedule, and will travel to 2-A Detroit, near Paris, Texas this Friday, August 28. Kickoff is set for 6:30.