Bison buffalo Elk in 9-11 matchup

Van’Go’photo Freshman Dominic Jackson stretches a pass reception into first down yardage. The Buffalo Bison came out shooting from the hip at Elkhart on Friday, September 11. They bounced back from last week’s loss with a 28-14 win over the Elks, to the delight of a large crowd of fans who had made the trip despite threatening skies.

Elkhart took the Bison’s opening kickoff in pretty good field position after a short kick. The Bison D, led by Jared Hawthorn, Jacob Rodell and company, held them right there. Facing 4th-and-13, the Elks tried a field goal. The kick had the line but not the distance, and BHS took over at their own 29-yard-line.

The BHS coaching staff sent a new message in the Bison’s opening series. Buffalo picked up one first down on a pass from Jordan Canady to Esteban Espinoza, then gained another on a hard run by Aurelio Dominguez. Canady found another new receiver in freshman Dominic Jackson, who pulled down a pass for the next first down. The fourth one came on a quarterback scramble. With 1st-and- Goal from the 9, the Bison suffered an untimely holding penalty, but did not let it stop them. Aaron Bell scooted in to score from the 13-yard line. Espinoza, kicking in place of injured starter Rigo Andrade, nailed the PAT and Buffalo was on the scoreboard, 7-0, wth 3:27 left in the first quarter.

Van’Go’photo The Bison show respect for the flag which flew at half-mast in honor of the victims of 9-11. September 11th would claim three more victims before the night was over as several Anderson County teens were killed in a tragic auto accident after the game. Elkhart got a good runback on the ensuing kickoff, but Jose Dominguez made the stop at midfield and the Bison defense again held their opponents to four-and-out. The punt took an Elks’ roll, and the Bison O took over at their own 10-yard-line near the end of the quarter. Bell, J. Dominguez, A. Dominguez, Canady and Rodell each con- tributed runs as the Bison drove the length of the field, only to have the Elks’ defense bow up and stop them inside the 10-yard line. The ball went over on downs... but not for long. On Elkhart’s first play from scrimmage there was a bobble and Dakota Champion recovered for the Bison at the 19. Aurelio Dominguez was the workhorse from there and scored to put BHS up 13-0 with 4:07 left in the half. Espinoza’s PAT attempt was blocked.

The Bison “D” got the job done Friday night at Elkhart. Van’Go’photo The Bison dodged a bullet in the final moments of the half. Senior Dylan Ansley successfully covered BHS’ on-side kick, putting the offense back on the field, but they were unable to generate any yardage and Jackson set up to punt from 4th-andlong. A bad snap eluded him and Elkhart took possession in Bison territory. The EHS quarterback tried a pass under pressure from Ansley, and Andrade was able to intercept for the Bison to end the threat.

The defenses took charge early in the 1/2 half.

Champion started the 3rd quarter with a nice runback, but the Elks’ defense allowed nothing more and BHS had to punt. Elkhart got within range for their field goal kicker to try another shot, but Ryan Read got a hand on it for the block and Bell scooped the ball up for the Bison. Canady was intercepted on BHS’ possession, but then the Bison defense tightened up and Champion batted down a 4th-down pass attempt by the Elks.

Buffalo’s offense got back on track late in the quarter with the Dominguez brothers picking up first downs on the ground and Canady connecting with Ansley for another first down. Rain ushered in the fourth quarter and BHS’ third touchdown, which came on a QB keeper. Jose Dominguez carried on the two-pointer and BHS was up 21-0. The insurance touchdown proved to be an important one as Elkhart’s offense came to life. They went to the air and scored a quick touchdown on a 15-yard pass play.

On the next Bison possession Aurelio Dominguez found the hole he had been looking for behind a great block by Bell. #34 scored with 7:27 left in the game and Espinoza again added the PAT kick.

Elkhart’s Brandon White (#21) returned the next kickoff for a touchdown and EHS closed the gap to 28-14 with plenty of time left on the clock. Buffalo had to punt again, but the Bison defenders held their ground, too. Daniel Vazquez and Rodell kept pressure on the quarterback and Saxton Sim, Cnady and Read covered the receivers well.

Buffalo ran out the clock on their final possession and had a 28-14 win for the record book, improving their season record to 2-1.

The Bison had 363 total yards. Aurelio Dominguez was the leading rusher with 25 carries for 182 yards and two TDs. Canady had 11 rushes for 54 yards and one TD and was 5/7 for 48 yards passing with one interception. Aaron Bell had 10 carries for 48 yards, one TD and one reception. Esteban Espinoza averaged 13 yards per carry with 3 carries for 40 yards, one reception for 13 yards and he kicked three extra points. Jose Dominguez picked up 37 yards in five carries and scored 2 points. Dominic Jackson, Dylan Ansley and Dakota Champion had one reception each.

The Bison defense held Elkhart to 161 yards. Dylan Ansley had 8 tackles and one sack. Rigo Andrade had 4 taqckles and an interception. Dakota Champion posted 4 tackles, 2 defended passes and a fumble recovery. Ryan Read had 3 tackles, one defended pass and a blocked field goal. Thomas Corbin and Jared Hawthorne each contributed 3 tackles and a sack. Jacob Rodell logged six tackles.

The Bison will host Wortham in the 2009 Homecoming Game on Friday, September 18. Come out for the big pep rally, and come early for the game to catch Senior Walk. The half-time festivities will include the crowning of the 2009 Homecoming Queen and her court. A school dance will follow the game.