The Bowling Green Buccaneers hosted Silliman Institute last Friday for the annual homecoming game. The Class 4A Bucs were coming off two straight wins and looked to make it three against the Class 5A Wildcats.
After taking a 13-7 halftime lead, the Bucs couldn't hold on as the visitors from Clinton, LA came away with a 20-13 non-district win. With the loss, the Bucs fell to 3-3 overall.
"The kids played hard and we had chances to win the game," said coach Phill Junkins. "We made crucial mistakes which is going to happen with as many underclassmen as we play. Had a great crowd and we are very thankful for all the support groups that cheered us on."
Bowling Green also honored the 1997 football team that captured the state championship 25 years ago. Coach Junkins was a part of Coach Gary Hendry's staff and was able to visit with some of his former players.
"Great to see our '97 state championship team members who were in attendance. Special group of men doing great things."
The Buccaneers received the opening kickoff and started on their own 35 yard line. Behind a strong running game, the Bucs went 65 yards in 11 plays to reach the end zone. Josiah Miller cashed in from 14 yards out and Alex Brock's PAT was good to give the Bucs a 7-0 lead with 5:54 remaining in the first quarter.
On the ensuing kickoff, Silliman took over on their own 28 yard line. The Wildcats scored in four plays with the touchdown coming on a 61 yard catch and run. The PAT was a good and the game was tied at 7-7 with 4:12 to go in the first quarter.
The Wildcats offense reached BGS territory midway through the second quarter, but came away empty after a field goal attempt went wide right.
After both offenses failed to score again, the Bucs defense forced a Wildcats punt from deep in their own territory. The BGS offense took over at the Silliman 48 yard line. Bowling Green was able to establish their running game again and scored nine plays later. Offensive lineman Bryce Graham lined up in the backfield and scored from 1 yard out. The PAT was unsuccessful, but the Bucs took a 13-7 lead with under a minute left in the second quarter. The two teams went to halftime with the Bucs holding a 6 point lead.
The Wildcats received the second half kickoff and returned it to the BGS 35 yard line. Two plays later the Wildcats scored on a 30 yard run off left tackle. The PAT was successful and Silliman held their first lead of the game at 14-13. There would be no more scoring in the third quarter.
With the exception of the touchdown on the opening drive of the second half, both defenses dominated until midway through the fourth quarter. The Wildcats came up with a big play when they intercepted a pass at the Buccaneers 40 yard line and returned it for an apparent touchdown. A block in the back penalty on the return gave Silliman the ball at the BGS 25 yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, the quarterback picked up a fumble and raced into the end zone for a Wildcats touchdown. The PAT put Silliman ahead 21-13.
The Buccaneers reached the Silliman 15 yard line before turning the ball over on downs with just over 4 minutes remaining in the quarter. The Wildcats would take a knee and run out the clock to earn the eight point victory over the Buccaneers.
After the hard-fought contest, coach Phil Junkins commented on the next opponent, Presbyterian Christians School in Hattiesburg. "Doesn't get any easier as we play a 6A team next Friday. PCS is big up front and has a tremendous speed guy that we must contain."
Josiah Miller carried 30 times for 197 yards and Kyron Cowart had 79 yards on 13 carries. Defensively, Bryce Graham had 5 tackles, Cowart, Morgan Verret and Christian Williams each had 4 tackles, while Dray Killingsworth, Trey Champagne, Zeke Burford and Camrin Seal all had 2 tackles. Burford and Verret had 2 pass breakups.
