(The following information and story provided by co head coach Dan Heiser)
Williamsport- The Bucktail Junior High football team traveled to Williamsport to battle the junior high team from Williamsport Middle School. It was a matchup between two programs on very different ends of the enrollment spectrum, with 1A Bucktail taking on 6A Williamsport. With just 17 players on the Bucktail sideline compared to 31 for Williamsport, the Bucks knew they would have their work cut out for them. But the young Bucktail team came ready to play.
The first half was a defensive battle, with Bucktail and Williamsport going back and forth as both defenses came up with stops and forced changes of possession. Williamsport finally broke through late in the first quarter, scoring to take an 8-0 lead.
Bucktail continued to battle, and one of the biggest plays of the game came just before halftime. A Williamsport running back broke loose and appeared headed for a 55-yard touchdown run, but Tucker Lebo refused to give up on the play. Lebo chased him down from behind and stopped him from scoring.
With Williamsport threatening on the two yard line to take a two-score lead into halftime, the Bucktail defense responded with an impressive goal-line stand, keeping Williamsport out of the end zone. The Bucks headed into halftime trailing just 8-0.
Bucktail continued to play tough in the second half and showed positive signs on both offense and defense. Eventually, Williamsport’s advantage in size and depth began to show. Williamsport added two scores in the third quarter to extend its lead to 20-0.
At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Bucktail offense put together a strong drive behind Tucker Lebo. Lebo eventually punched the ball into the end zone to put the Bucks on the scoreboard and make it 20-6. Williamsport added one more score before the end of the game to make the final 28-6.
Overall, the young Bucktail team had plenty to be proud of. The coaches praised the players for battling a much larger Williamsport squad and going into halftime trailing by only one score. Even more importantly, the Bucks continued to play hard until the final minutes of the game.
One of the most impressive things about this young team has been its discipline. Through its first two games, Bucktail has committed only five penalties. The Bucks are playing disciplined football, competing hard, and continuing to show improvement even against much larger schools.
Bucktail will be back on the road Saturday, September 26, when the Bucks travel to take on Canton Middle School. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:00 AM.
OFFENSE FOR BUCKTAIL:Rushing:
Tucker Lebo 15 – 125 yd, TD
Quinton Smith 8- 38 yd,
Lucas Sharp 3- 6yd,
Max Dorman 3-10 yd
Total: 29- 179 yd
DEFENSE FOR BUCKTAIL:
Quinton Smith 11 tackles
Tucker Lebo 7 tackles
Cason Redis 5 tackles and Fumble Recovery and 2 deflected passes
Beau Phillips 2 tackles
Lucas Sharp 2 tackles
Parker Thorsten 2 tackles
Chris Mace 1 Tackle
Jackson Brennan 1 Tackle
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