Bison post big win in season opener

Place kicker Rigo Andrade (#7) got off to a great start in the season opener, nailing six of six point-after attempts and carrying for one touchdown in the Bison’s high-scoring victory over the Detroit Eagles. . Van’Go’photo The Bison football squad and some diehard fans made a four-hour road trip to the Texas/ Oklahoma/Arkansas border to play the Detroit Eagles in the season opener. The payoff was a decisive victory for BHS.

Buffalo's first drive took only two minutes and was anchored by Aurelio Dominguez and Aaron Bell. Dominguez scored on a 28- yard run, and kicker Rigo Andrade added the PAT -- the first of many.

On defense, Jacob Rodell got in the first lick, tackling the Eagles' ball carrier for a loss and setting the tone for the game. Freshman Jose Dominguez made a stop in the backfield too, forcing DHS to punt.

The Bison's next drive was a steady march from their 20-yd line, ending with Jose Dominguez scoring his first high school touchdown on a run from about the 12. Andrade added the PAT and the Bison led 14-0 with 4:00 on the first-quarter clock.

“I’ll take that!” Senior safety Dakota Champion (#2) snags a pass intended for the Detroit receiver and pulls down the season’s first interception for the Bison -- and teammate Aaron Bell (#11) had the angle, too. Van’Go’photo. Detroit answered with a TD of their own on a 50-yard pass play, and ran for the PAT to close the score to 14-8.

Andrew Houston ran the ensuing kick-off back to the D-37 to give the Bison good field position for their next drive. Aurelio Dominguez had back-to-back carries down to the goal line, where Bell punched it in. Jordan Canady scored the 2-point PAT on a quarterback keeper and the Bison led 22-8 with 1:22 left in the first quarter.

Freshman Jose Dominguez (#24) slips a tackle and goes in for his first high school TD. Andrade's next kickoff backed the Eagles deep in their end of the field and good team tackles kept them there. The Bison took over on downs early in the second quarter at Detroit's 22-yard-line. Penalties nullified several good gains and the Bison set up for a field goal. Andrade's kick had the distance but it faded left.

DHS tried another aerial attack but the defense denied them and BHS got the ball back in Eagle territory. Canady picked up a good gain on the keeper to set up Bell's 1-yard TD, and the PAT kick increased the BHS lead to 29-8.

The Eagles strung together three first downs in their next drive, but senior Dakota Champion picked off a pass to end that threat at the Bison 11-yd-line. Buffalo only had less than a minute to cover the length of the field but that was plenty as Canady, behind great protection from the of- fensive line, launched a pass over the Eagle defender and in the hands of wide receiver Andrew Houston that was good for a 74-yd touchdown. Andrade's 4th PAT kick made the score 36-8 at halftime.

The Dominguez brothers, freshman Jose (L) and junior Aurelio (R), contribute strength and speed to the Bison backfield and each carried for a touchdown in the season opener. Aurelio rolled up 265 yards to led the Bison rushers. Van’Go’photo Detroit had the first possession after the break but the Bison defense quickly knocked the ball loose and Jose Dominguez got the recovery for BHS. Bell had a beautiful, spinning run for first down at the D-10 and Rodell pounded it in from there for the Bison's sixth TD. Andrade tacked on the point-after at 6:37 in the third quarter.

Detroit wasn't ready to throw in the towel and used a big run and another pass completion to score their second touchdown.

BHS survived a couple of fumbles in their next possession, thanks to Aurelio Dominguez, but ended up punting just before the 4th quarter.

Jorge Herrera ran down a breakaway Eagle runner on the ensuing kickoff, but Detroit still had good field position and managed to punch it in from there. Their pass attempt on the conversion was intercepted by Saxton Sims, and the score was 43-22.

Bison fans got to enjoy one more big drive before starting home. A. Dominguez carried for several big gains and dragged defenders to the 2-yd-line. Andrade took ball in for the TD, then stepped back and nailed his 6th PAT in as many attempts. Bell jumped on a Detroit fumble to snuff their last drive, and the Bison had a 50-22 victory for the record book.

Aurelio Dominguez led the rushing with 18 carries and 265 yards. QB Jordan Canady connected on two of four passes with no interceptions, one for a touchdown, and 85 yards in the air.

This week BHS hosts Lovelady at Brewer Field. The state-ranked Lions also posted a big win last week -- 55-22 over Groveton -- so it should be a good game. Come out and support YOUR... BUFFALO... BISON!