Friday Night (high)Lights!

(ABOVE and RIGHT) BHS’ Belles and cheerleaders pump up school spirit The Buffalo Bison kicked off the 2010 season with a balanced attack and an exciting win at Brewer Field on Friday, August 27. Their opponent was the Bremond Tigers, who last year advanced far into the 1A playoffs.

The Tigers won the toss, but in their opening possession, Jesus Lopez and Tate Hartley had big stops and the Bison defense denied Bremond a first down.

On BHS' first offensive drive, Buffalo leaned heavily on running back Aurelio Dominguez. QB Ryan Read mixed in a pass to Kendall Sheffied for a first down. Speedster Travis Cunningham carried around left for another first down before the wheels came off and the ball went over on downs. The Tigers’ next possession was short-lived however, as Bison newcomer Kyle Richardson came up with an interception to put the Bison offense back on the field. Jose Dominguez broke free to the Tiger 20, but a penalty nullified that gain. Cunningham got it right back with a good run, then Read feathered a soft pass into the corner of the endzone and into the hands of tight end Garrett Henson. David Rodriguez added a PAT kick, putting the Bison up 7-0 with 2:45 left in the first quarter.

The ensuing on-side kick was tipped and recovered by Cunningham, but the Tigers covered Read like a blanket in the next few plays and the ball again went over on downs.

D.J. Jackson led the Bison defense in thwarting the Tigers’ progress, but back-to-back penalties on Buffalo still kept Bremond moving toward the Bison goal, and they were soon threatening from the 11-yd-line. Jose Dominguez and Jonathan Cates teamed up for a big sack, and the Tigers were facing 4th-and-Goal at the 3. Aurelio Dominguez came up with a huge stop to kill the drive.

The defenses ruled the field for most of the 2nd half. D.J. Jackson caused a fumble at the end of a Bremond pass play, and Colton Henson recovered for the Bison. Another Bremond threat was stopped when Saxton Sims ran down a ball carrier for a touchdown-saving tackle at the 19 that would prove to be a game-saver for Buffalo. The Bison defense held the Tigers to a field goal in the final seconds of the half. Jorge Herrera ran the kick back past midfield, and Buffalo took a 7-3 lead into the locker room.

^^ Bison Kendall Sheffield pulls in a Ryan Read pass and turns upfield in the first quarter of the Bison/Bremond game. Neither team could generate much offense in the third quarter. Early in the fourth Bremond found the endzone and took the lead 7-10. The Bison answered quickly, when Read hit Cunningham in stride for a 51-yard gain that set up a 3-yard touchdown run by Aurelio Dominguez. Rodriguez’ PAT kick was good, putting BHS back on top, 14-10.

>> The Bison Band plays as the Belles take the field for their first performance of the season. Jacob Rodell, Ivan Rivas and company held the Tigers at bay for the rest of the game. Thomas Corbin recovered a Tiger fumble late in the contest to put the game away. STATISTICS:

Read was 10 of 13 for 142 yards, one TD and no interceptions. His receivers were: Cunningham (1 for 51 yds); G. Henson (1 for 17 yds and one TD); Jo Dominguez (2 for 31 yds); A. Dominguez (2 for 8 yds); Sheffield (2 for 29 yds) and Sims (1 for 6 yds).

The Bison rushed for 178 yards. Leading rushers for the Bison were: A. Dominguez (23 carries for 108 yds and one TD); Cunningham (3 for 39) and J. Dominguez (7 for 32).

D. Rodriguez was 2 for 2 on extra point kicks.

Leading the defense in tackles were: D.J. Jackson (10), Jacob Rodell (10), J. Cates (8), J. Dominguez (8) and A. Dominguez (8). Corbin and Cates each recorded a sack. A. Dominguez and Richardson each had an interception.
Thomas Corbin (#88) squares off with a Bremond Tiger.