Bowling Green traveled to Bay Springs, Mississippi last Friday in search of a win that would put them over .500 on the season. Behind a strong running game, the Bucs defeated the Sylva Bay Saints 40-14 as three running backs rushed for over 100 yards.
With the non-district win, the Buccaneers improved to 3-2 overall on the season and remain 1-1 in district play.
After stopping the Saints initial offensive possession, the Bucs took over at their own 28 yard line. Seven rushes later, Kyron Cowart ran 33 yards around the right side for a BGS touchdown. The PAT was no good and the Bucs led 6-0 with 5:05 remaining in the first quarter.
The Bucs moved the ball to the Saints 20 yard line on their next possession before a questionable fumble call gave the ball back to SBA.
The Bucs defense forced another Saints punt and BGS took over at their own 44. Three plays later, Cowart broke a tackle at the line of scrimmage and sprinted 49 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Preston Jarrell faked a handoff and ran untouched around the left side for a two point conversion that put BGS ahead 14-0 with 10:55 left in the second quarter.
Dray Killingsworth’s kickoff bounced off a Saints player and sophomore Tucker Penton recovered for the Bucs at the SBA 43 yard line. Josiah Miller gained every yard of the five play drive and reached the end zone from 14 yards out. The PAT by Nate Keen made it 21-0 with 8:50 remaining in the second quarter.
Another bouncing kickoff was recovered by the Bucs. Killingsworth recovered his own kickoff after the ball bounced off a Saints player and rolled on the ground. The Bucs offense turned the ball over on downs inside the SBA 10 yard line.
Sylva Bay got on the scoreboard late in the second quarter. The PAT failed and the Bucs led 21-6, a score that would stand until halftime.
Sylva Bay moved into Buccaneers territory to start the second half, but Trey Champagne intercepted a pass for the Bucs near the 10 yard line to end the drive.
Bowling Green would strike quickly as Miller broke through the line and outran SBA defenders for a 75 yard touchdown. The drive covered 90 yards in three plays. A missed PAT put the score at 27-6 with 1:00 left in the third quarter.
The Bucs gained possession again and setup their offense after a Saints punt. Working from their 35 yard line, it took two plays to reach the end zone again. Deviun Bickham raced 65 yards for a score and Alex Brock added the PAT to put BGS ahead 34-6 with 6:55 left in the fourth.
The Saints scored with 4:03 on the clock and the two point conversion made it 34-14.
Bickham scored from 20 yards out to end the scoring for the game. Quarterback Maddox Magee took a knee on the PAT and the Bucs earned a 40-14 win.
“We finally put three quarters together and showed what we are capable of doing,” said Coach Phill Junkins. “Still much to clean up but our effort has been great. Our offensive line was on point. Proud of Josiah for his night. He set a new personal best rushing.
On this week’s homecoming opponent, “Silliman is a very good team and we will need our best effort to win. I invite everyone to come out and enjoy this Friday.”
Against the Saints, Josiah Miller carried 25 times for 289 yards and two touchdowns, Kyron Cowart added 106 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries, Deviun Bickham had 121 yards and two touchdowns on four carries, Preston Jarrell carried five times for 28 yards and Christian Williams added 15 yards on five carries.
Defensively, Williams and Camrin Seal each had seven tackles, L.J. Jenkins had six tackles, Cowart had five tackles, Bryce Graham, Dray Killingsworth and Trey Champagne each had four tackles and Jonathan Traylor had three.
This Friday the Buccaneers host Silliman Institute for the annual homecoming game.
