Bowling Green Buccaneers were on the road last Friday in Columbia, MS to face the Cougars of Columbia Academy. After a winless 2021 football season, the Bucs made a drastic turnaround this year and punched a ticket to the playoffs with a 49-29 win over the Cougars.
The Bucs finished the season with a 4-6 record (2-1 in district), but the numbers are deceiving after facing arguably the toughest schedule in Class 4A.
"Kids reacted very well after a real tough stretch of games," said coach Phil Junkins. "We are the only 4A team to play two 5A and two 6A teams. I'm hoping that this tough schedule has us tested and ready to compete in the playoffs."
Bowling Green opened the game with a touchdown drive that covered 60 yards in seven plays. Josiah Miller reached the end zone from 1 yard out and the extra point from Alex Brock gave the Bucs a 7-0 lead with 7:43 remaining in the first quarter.
The Cougars took advantage of a BGS turnover and turn it into their first score of the night. The extra point tied the game at 7-7 with 2:12 left in the first.
On the ensuing possession, the Bucs took over at their own 20 after a penalty nullified a long run. Facing a first down and 37, Bowling Green picked up the necessary yardage on a run by Miller to the CA 20 yard line. Kyron Cowart raced 20 yards down the right sideline for a touchdown and Alex Brock added the extra point to put the Bucs back ahead 14-7 with 11:53 left in the second quarter.
Columbia followed with a drive of their own that ended in a 1 yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt bounced off the right upright leaving the Bucs ahead 14-13 with 6:24 remaining in the second. The score would remain the same at the half with BGS holding a slim one point lead.
The Cougars were forced to punt on their opening possession of the second half and Bowling Green took over at their own 43 yard line. The Bucs drove inside the CA 10 yard line before missing a field-goal. Two plays later, Bowling Green's Tucker Pittman recovered a Cougars fumble at the Columbia 16 yard line. Five plays later, Miller found the end zone from 2 yards out. The extra point from Alex Brock put the Bucs ahead 21-13 with 3:53 left in the third quarter.
The Bowling Green defense forced the Cougars to turn the ball over on downs at the BGS 29 yard line. On first down, Miller carried to the Columbia 46. Cowart carried to the 41 before another carry from Miller put the ball at the CA 30 ahead of a Columbia personal foul penalty. Miller finished the drive off with a 3 yard touchdown run as the Buccaneers offensive line dominated the CA defense. Alex Brock's extra point increased the BGS lead to 28-13 with 9:58 remaining in the fourth.
Two plays into the ensuing Columbia Academy possession, Cowart took the ball from a CA receiver and raced 25 yards for another Bowling Green touchdown. Another extra point from Alex Brock put the Bucs ahead 35-13 with 8:56 left in the fourth quarter.
Bowling Green's Christian Williams found the end zone from 2 yards out with 4:07 left in the fourth. The extra point from Alex Brock left the Buccaneers with a 42-13 lead. Columbia Academy returned the kickoff for a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion made the score 42-21.
Miller scored the final touchdown of the game for Bowling Green with a 43 yard run with 1:43 on the clock. Alex Brock's seventh extra point of the game put the Buccaneers ahead 49-21. Columbia scored with nine seconds remaining and another two-point conversion made the final score 49-29.
"Offensively we played well, especially in the 2nd half," said Coach Junkins. "Josiah ran very well and Kyron, Morgan, Devion and Christian gave us solid minutes. The line came off the ball hard and finished blocks. Really thought our young guys stepped up defensively. Cam Seal played well this week. We will use everything we got this Friday.
"Carroll Academy will be a great challenge. They have played well over the last three weeks and put themselves in a position to host. They are a spread option and RPO team. They look fast, strong, and motivated. We will need to be at our best this week."
Josiah Miller led the Bucs with 222 yards on 25 carries, Kyron Cowart added 69 yards on 12 carries, Devion Bickham carried 3 times for 52 yards and Christian Williams had 15 yards on his 3 carries.
