Farwell- West Branch Warriors brought an impressive 4-1 record to Farwell on Thursday night in junior football action. Bucktail’s co-head coaches Dan Heiser and Ryan Graw knew they had a tall task and they knew that focal point of stopping the Warriors would be stopping Austin Lannen. The little Bucks failed to do that and four turnovers didn’t help their cause.
Lannen grounded out yardage at will in the first half, including a couple big scores to help West Branch mount an impressive 32-0 lead at the break. One of those turnovers was returned for long touchdown return on a fumble.
The Warriors defense was strong against the run, stacking up Quinton Smith and Tucker Lebo multiple times during Bucktail’s first few series of plays. Not even Beau Phillips and his end around trickory was enough to fool the Warriors’ defensive front.
West Branch held Phillips to minus 6 yards on two reverse attempts and contained Smith to 0 yards on 6 carries.
Tucker Lebo was a different story. Lebo was the lone bright spot on offense for the Bucks. Lebo finished his busy workload by racking up 86 yards on the ground and hauling in 3 grabs for 22 yards.
His highlight of the night was a group effort on a hook and ladder during the Bucktail closing drive. Quarterback Max Dorman found Smith open in the flat who pitched the ball to Lebo for 19 yard pickup to keep the Bucktail drive going.
Lebo powered off a huge 23 yard run that set up Bucktail’s only touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Lebo’s 27-yard score and his follow up conversion set the 40-8 final.
Lebo’s score followed an Easton Young 65-yard scoring run for visiting West Branch, who is now 5-1 on the season.
Now 0-4, the little Bucks will have a tough task this coming Thursday when they host Keegan Eckenroad and the South Williamsport Mounties at 5pm. This game will also be livestreamed on Railroad City Sports.
West Branch 12 20 0 8 40
Bucktail 0 0 0 8 8
Rushing
BUCKTAIL- Tucker Lebo 17-86 TD, Quinton Smith 6-0, Beau Phillips 2-minus 6 TOTAL- 25-80 TD
Passing
BUCKTAIL- Max Dorman 3-5 22 yds 2 INT
Receiving
BUCKTAIL- Tucker Lebo 3-22
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