A new season, a fresh start, and plenty of fight --- the Bowling Green Buccaneers hit the road this past Friday night to Natchez, Mississippi, to battle the Adams County Christian School Rebels. In the end, the Rebels pulled away for a 35-16 win.
The night began with promise for the Buccaneers. Winning the toss, Bowling Green elected to receive, and senior Ryn Rivenbark received the opening kickoff, carrying the ball for a 24-yard run to the Rebel 49-yard line. After a series of seven runs, the Bucs were forced to attempt a 27-yard field goal. Alex Brock's first season attempt was blocked.
Upon the Rebel takeover, the defense stepped up, and on third-and-nine, senior Trent Penton intercepted a pass for the Buccaneers. Nathan Pylant ultimately carried in a nice touchdown run, but it was called back with a double Buccaneer penalty. This ended with a Buccaneer punt. On the Rebels' second drive, the defense held strong and forced a punt. On the third possession of the game, Pylant, Cole Cooper, and Ryn Rivenbark attempted to drive another touchdown, but it resulted in Senior kicker, Alex Brock19-yard field goal for a 3-0 score.
Upon the kickoff, the Rebels ran a complete touchdown return, and with two flags waved off, the Rebels were awarded the touchdown. The extra point was good for a 7-3 score at the half.
Bowling Green kickED off the second half, and the Rebels' running game took over, scoring with a successful PAT for a 14-3 lead. Their Rebel pooch kick was recovered with great field position at the 43-yard line; however, the Bucs fumbled on the drive, recovered by the Rebels. The Buccaneer defense could not hold, allowing Adams County to score again for a 21-3 lead with 3:12 remaining in the third quarter.
A highlight of the game came on the next Rebel kickoff, when junior Buccaneer Cole Cooper returned it for 70 yards for a touchdown. The PAT was blocked, but the score tightened to 21-9. The Rebels' next drive was halted with a Kolt Killingsworth interception for Bowling Green.
As the third quarter ended and the fourth began, the Rebels picked off a Buccaneer pass and quickly scored again, extending the lead to 28-9. A Buccaneer fumble set up another strong Rebel run for a touchdown and a 35-9 advantage.
On the Bucs' final scoring drive, quarterback Kerston Deidon connected with Killingsworth on a 48-yard touchdown pass. Brock's PAT was good, bringing the final score to 35-16. The Buccaneer defense then held the Rebels scoreless for the last 2:51 of the contest. After the game, head coach Dean King praised his team's effort, saying, "I thought our guys came out and fought hard and played with effort. We just ran out of gas towards the end. We have things to fix, but I also saw a lot of positive things to move forward with."
Now with week one behind them, the Buccaneers will regroup and look to bounce back as they travel to Clinton, Louisiana, this Friday, August 29 to face Silliman Academy. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Come join the Buccaneer Green and Gold fans!!!!
