What a night! Bowling Green School traveled to Raymond, MS to take on the Central Hinds Cougars in what turned out to be a four-quarter brawl. The Cougars sitting at #3 and the Buccaneers resting at #7 in the class 4A MAIS rankings, the Buccaneers were up against the odds and on foreign soil. It was a prime night for a good old-fashioned upset; and Bowling Green delivered, leaving Raymond, MS victorious, defeating the Cougars 20-12.
Bowling Green Senior RB Gabe Jas took the opening kick for a 32 yard return out to the 50 yard line. Moving the ball methodically down the field, establishing a physical presence in the run-game, the Buccaneers faced a 4th down from the Cougar 28 yard line. Head Coach Jason Johnson elected to go for it, dialing up a play-action boot pass to the Buccaneer sideline for Senior QB Larkin Jenkins, who found the outstretched arms of Senior ATH Dray Killingsworth for a critical first down. This conversion led to Bowling Green striking first with RB Jas running it in from the Buccaneer six yard line. (7-0)
The Buccaneer defense would force a punt and begin their drive at their own 34 yard line. This offensive possession for Bowling Green ended with -1 yards of total offense and a punt. The Cougars would find the endzone on a middle screen pass on 3rd down and 10 with 44 seconds remaining in the 1st quarter; the extra point try was no good. (7-6)
Looking to add to their lead, the Bowling Green offense takes the field with 34 seconds left in the quarter. QB counter is the call, but it would only get back to the line of scrimmage for no gain. A fumble on the fake to the fullback on 2nd down, resulting in a loss of 1 yard. Sacked on 3rd down for a loss of 8 yards. Punt. The Buccaneers are back on defense. Big pass down to the Bowling Green 39 yard line on 2nd down. Followed a designed QB run of their own for a 23 yard gain. 1st and 10 for the Cougars from the 16 yard line. 1st and 10: Quick screen broken up by Junior LB Maddox Magee. 2nd and 10: QB run off the right side, gain of 2. 3rd and 8: 1st down to the Bowling Green 6 yard line. Incomplete pass on 1st Down. Penalty on 2nd down. The Buccaneer defense would force a turnover on downs after three straight incomplete passes by the Cougars. Great defensive stand by the Buccaneers to hold the Cougars scoreless in the redzone.
Buccaneers are moving the ball on the ground once again. Junior RB Bubby Bryant is leading the charge, churning 4 to 5 yard chunks at a time. 3rd down and 4 Bowling Green is hit for a loss of 1 yard in the backfield. 4th and a long 4, the Buccaneers try to get the Cougars to jump with a hard count, which falls through. Timeout Bowling Green. They elect to go for it on fourth down. The Cougars sniff out the run and get the stop. They immediately go to the air down the Bowling Green sideline, but Junior CB Preston Jarrell is there to get a hand in and break-up the pass. QB sweep with crack motion on 2nd down, Junior CB Russell Wilson is there for the stop. The Cougars convert on 3rd down in great fashion; pass underneath to the BG sideline for a big run after the catch, bringing the Cougars to the Buccaneer 29 yard line. 3rd and 10 from the pass is intercepted by Junior CB Trey Champagne. The Buccaneer defense has answered the call once again!
The Buccaneers are battling for this victory. They've shown a great deal of resiliency in 3 quarters of football. QB Larkin ran for what would've been a 1st down, but was negated by a penalty. Bowling Green finds themselves in another punt situation.
With back-to-back punts, the Buccaneer defense was looking to get another stop to maintain their 7-6 lead over Central Hinds. Opening play of the 4th quarter, the Cougars connected down the sideline for a 50 yard gain and great field position. With 7:12, remaining in the fourth, the Cougars would score on this drive with a pass to the back of the endzone. Central Hinds is on top 12-7.
On the second play of the 4th, the Buccaneers go to Sophomore WR/QB Rayden Rayborn streaking up the visiting sideline for an 86 yard touchdown pass over a would be Central Hinds defender . Bowling Green takes back the lead, 13-12.
With 6:32 still remaining in the 4th quarter, there is plenty of football left to be played. With a 1st down tackle for a loss and incompletion on 2nd down, the Buccaneers are in great position, but must execute on the upcoming 3rd down. And they answer with a timely interception over the middle by Junior LB Brody Estave. Bowling now has an opportunity to seal the game and they do it on a 35 yard touchdown run up the gut by Bubby Bryant. The extra point attempt was blocked by Central Hinds. It is now an eight point game. The Cougars still have life. (20-12)
Central Hinds takes the field at their own 39 yard line. An incompletion on 1st and 10. Pass dropped by a Cougar receiver on 2nd and 10. It's now 3rd and 10 from the Central Hinds 39. Big play by Junior DE Zeke Burford snuffing out the screen pass for a 1 yard gain. 4th down and 9 from the 40, pass is complete to a Central Hinds receiver on the sideline for a 1st down. 2:38 left on the clock. The Cougars connect on a couple passes and find themselves with a manageable 3rd down, but suffer a false start penalty. Another drop by a Central Hinds receiver, which would have given them the 1st down. 4th and long with 1:40 left on the clock. SACK! Senior LB Cam Seal and Senior DL Cael McDaniel combine for the sack and tackle for loss. Buccaneers proceed to drain the clock and leave Raymond, MS victorious. #7 defeats #3 in MAIS class 4A.
Next Week: at Wayne Academy.
