Bison stampede through Indians

Jordan Canady turns on the speed for a 69 yard TD run. Van’Go’photo No one was sure what to expect when the Buffalo Bison travelled to Groveton on Friday. The Indians were out for revenge for the Bison's big win in '08 and had a Homecoming crowd to impress. The men in purple and gold were anxious to make up ground lost in the district opener, which had been costly with injuries. The Bison had definitely come to play, however, and they demonstrated that with authority in the opening series. Before the contest was over, they would turn in a game packed with plenty of punch on the way to a 47-20 win.

The Bison drove 60 yards to paydirt in the opening minute with big runs by Los Hermanos Dominguez -- Aurelio and Jose. The opening score came on a 40-yard half-back pass from Jose Dominguez to Dakota Champion. Rigo Andrade tacked on the PAT kick.

The Indians answered immediately, breaking out their Big Man, Willie Washington, who would prove to be GHS' primary weapon throughout the contest. On the first play from scrimmage #34 ran for a touchdown. The Buffalo defense stopped the PAT attempt to maintain a slim lead 7-6.

Dakota Champion leaps high to pull down a first-half interception. Van’Go’photo Esteban Espinoza had a good kick return to set up the Bison's second possession near midfield. QB Jordan Canady scrambled for first down yardage, but a penalty flag nullified the gain. The Bison stayed focused and converted on 3rd -and- 11, keeping the drive alive with an 18-yard pass from Canady to Dylan Ansley. Canady picked up another first on the keeper, and Jose Dominguez fought his way into the endzone from the 5 to put the Bison up 13-6, still early in the first quarter.

BHS' defense made a big statement in the next series. After allowing no gain on the kickoff return, they gave up just one first down before forcing a punt, with contributions by Jose Dominguez, Jacob Rodell, Ansley and Austin Courmier, seeing his first varsity action playing for injured defensive end Jared Hawthorne.

Esteban Espinoza takes a breather after his TD run, while injured Andrew Houston cheers his teammates on. The kick and a penalty backed the Bison up deep in their end of the field. A few plays later the Indians chased Canady down behind the line of scrimmage setting up 4th-and-long. Freshman Dominic Jackson punted under pressure and the Indians took over with prime field position at the Bison 27. GHS got a runner free and he was heading for the end zone, but Espinoza forced a fumble at the 5-yardline, and Jose Dominguez was there for the Bison recovery. One play later, the freshman standout added to his Big Game by breaking through the secondary and streaking down the field on a 95-yard touchdown run. The PAT was a little wide, but the Bison had increased their lead to 19-6 in the final seconds of the first quarter.

BHS’ flag bearers (represented here by James Rodell and Damian Magourik, got a good workout during Friday’s varsity game where BHS scored six TDs. BHS' Ryan Read covered a short kick to keep the Bison offense on the field for another series, and they went right to work. Aaron Bell, Jackson, and Aurelio Dominguez had big gains to set up a Canady 1-yard keeper for TD #4. Aurelio Dominguez rammed in the two-point conversion.

Groveton came charging back with a 34-yard run by #34, but Champion and Saxton Sims teamed up to make a touchdown-saving stop inside the 20-yard-line. There the Bison "D" put up a wall and kept the Indians out of the endzone. BHS took over on downs at their own 14 and moved the ball well upfield before having to punt. Jackson planted this one at the 15-yard-line.

The Bison Defense again came on strong with stops by Sims, Andrade, Courmier, Read, and Rodell then Champion came through with a pass interception for the Bison. Three plays later Canady broke free for a 69-yard run to score for BHS. Andrade added a kick and the Bison were out front, 34-6 with seconds left in the second quarter.

Groveton's final opportunity of the half was snatched by Bell with a pick-off..

GHS came out of the locker room with renewed determination, and quickly broke #5 loose for a 35-yard touchdown. Washington was stopped cold on the two-point try.

Back on offense, Aurelio Dominguez had a TD called back due to a holding penalty, but the Bison did not falter. On the next play, Espinoza took the handoff on the reverse and, with Canady lead blocking, scampered to the endzone. Andrade's second PAT kick made the score 41-12.

Rodell led the Bison defenders in the Indians' next series, and Bell broke up a pass to set up a 4thand 12 punt by GHS. Aurelio Dominguez picked up good yardage to set up a 3rd-and-3 touchdown run by Champion from the 13-yard-line.

Groveton took over at the 19 and sprung Washington for what looked like a sure touchdown, but BHS' Dakota Champion, in an incredible display of speed and determination, ran him down. Early in the fourth quarter the Indians completed the 81- yard drive to close the gap to 47-20.

Buffalo fumbled away their next possession but the Bison defense, led this time by Daniel Vazquez, soon got the ball back. Jackson anchored the final offensive series for the Bison, and Canady made a touchdown-saving tackle to stop the Indians' final charge.

Head Coach Mark Read could not have been any prouder of his team's effort and performance. He pointed out that Jordan Nix, Damian Rodriguez and Jacob Rodell started on the offensive line for the first time this season and did an excellent job of blocking. It was Jose Dominguez' first time to start at fullback and he was the leading rusher for the Bison with 163 yards in 8 carries. Canady followed with 129 yards and Aurelio Dominguez contributed 94. The Bison amassed 504 yards rushing and 61 yards passing. Canady was 2 for 4 with no interceptions.

This week the Bison host the Centerville Tigers in a gigantic cross-county matchup as they bid for a playoff spot. Both teams will be coming off big wins and both have 1-1 district records.