Bison fall in District Opener

Senior Dylan Ansley tucks away a kickoff and braces for a hit. Van’Go’photo BHS hosted the Corrigan-Camden Bulldogs Friday n¡ight with high hopes for the district opener. Early in the game the teams seemed evenly matched in what was definitely a defensive battle. As the night wore on, however, the Bison had several players leave the game with injuries and BHS seemed to lose momentum proportionately, while the Bulldogs gained steam and ultimately took a 30-0 victory.

Buffalo won the toss and elected to receive. The Bison got off to a good start with Aaron Bell picking up a first down near midfield, but the drive stalled after that. Dominic Jackson got off a good punt to pen the Bulldogs inside their own 10-yard-line.

C-C managed a couple of first downs before the Bison Defense, led by Aurelio Dominguez and Dylan Ansley, managed to stop them on 4th-and-5 and forced a punt.

The trumpet section of the Bison Band was featured during a half-time performance of Queen’s “Bohemian Rapsody” Pictured above are freshman Kyle Reeder, Josh Carrillo, and Ivan Rivas. Van’Go’photo The Bison's next possession floundered after a bad snap and a penalty, and Jackson kicked again. The Bulldogs had the ball near midfield. The Bison D again bowed up, with Jarod Hawthorne making one big stop, Ryan Read contributing a tremendous tackle, and Dakota Champion making another stop to set up 4th down. As the Bulldogs went for 4th-andone --and appeared to get first down yardage-- the ball was knocked loose and Daniel Vazquez came up with a fumble recovery to put the BHS offense back on the field.

BHS could not generate any momentum and they were quickly punting again. Corrigan got a good return, but Jonathan Cates was able to stop the runner. The Bulldogs converted a 4th-and-one situation early in the second quarter to keep their drive alive. Bell, Ansley and Jose Dominguez led the Bison in a valiant defense effort and forced another 4th down situation, but the Bulldogs managed to score with 7:51 in the half, and added a PAT kick. Aaron Bell was sidelined in this series after a hard blow to the head.

Bison defenders Dakota Champion (#2) and Jared Hawthorne (#60) zero in on the Corrigan- Camden runner. Van’Go’photo Andrew Houston got 17 yards on the kick return and Buffalo started again at their own 32-yard-line. The Bulldogs once again put up a brick wall and the Bison went three and out.

Corrigan took possession at their 20-yd-line and stormed up the field, scoring on a 51-yard scamper. Another successful PAT kick left the Bison trailing 14-0.

BHS tried an aerial attack in the next series, but quarterback Jordan Canady was picked off. In the meley that followed the interception, Jacob Rodell tackled the runner to save a touchdown, but two Bison men were still down after the whistle. Clayton Smith (#50) would soon get up under his own power, but senior Andrew Houston (#3) was taken off the field on a gurney, unconscious. He was later reported to have suffered a mild concussion and a bruised spine.

When play finally resumed, the Bulldogs had the ball at the Bison 21-yard-line. They completed a pass for first down at the 10, but Rigo Andrade led his teammates in a goal line stand and the Bulldogs had to settle for a field goal. The teams went into the locker room with Corrigan leading, 17-0.

The Bulldogs would score again early in the third quarter, with the touchdown coming on a QB keeper. The Bison's woes continued as their next two possessions ended in fumbles. Injuries kept coming as well. Rigo Andrade left the game briefly but he did later return to action.

Corrigan-Camden posted a final touchdown with 2:37 left in the game to go up 30-0.

Late in the game Ansley recovered a Bulldog fumble to put the Bison offense back on the field for their best drive of the night. Aurelio Dominguez found the hole he had been looking for and picked up good yardage, and Jackson carried the ball with good success up the middle. The Bulldogs shut the Bison down without allowing a score, however, and C-C's quarterback took a knee to let the final seconds tick off the clock.

This week the Varsity men travel to Groveton for a contest with an Ol' West theme: Bison vs Indians. Kickoff is set for 7:30.