by In the Matchup between the two Medina County rivals, the Buckeye Bucks came out on top over the Cloverleaf Colts 49-21. The Bucks ended up with nearly 400 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns. Only punting on one drive and scoring on their first five. Troy McCann was the story. Setting a school record by scoring six rushing touchdowns. Turner Dolata also contributed to both the run and passing game. Using his scrambling ability to rush for 43 yards and going 6/9 for 80 yards through the air.
The Cloverleaf offense, while a thorn in the Buck’s backside, remained in check for most of the game. Only rushing for 119 yards with 58 of them off one play. Despite great plays by Running backs Ethan Gray and Clay Combs, they only rushed for 119 yards with 58 of them off of one play. Both Cloverleaf quarterbacks Nathaniel Tomes (7/10, 93 yards, TD, Int) and Jordan Letner (7/9, 84 yards, TD) tried leading a comeback in the fourth quarter, but by that time it was too late.
1st Quarter
The opening kickoff of the season can sometimes be an omen on how the season will play out. We are not sure what will happen during the Bucks season, but we are sure the opening kickoff set the tone of the game. With Running Back and Linebacker Roman Krettler breaking a wedge and taking down the returner in a hit that could be heard outside the stadium.
After a Cloverleaf 3 and out, the Bucks immediately went down and scored. Ending with a 4-yard touchdown run by McCann. Cloverleaf, however, responded when Gray broke tackles for a 58-yard touchdown to tie the game. Though the momentum shifted to Cloverleaf, Tight End Trey Widenmeyer caught a 29-yard pass to set the Bucks in the red zone. Ending with a 1-yard touchdown by McCann.
2nd Quarter
In the second quarter, the Bucks would extend their lead. Driving down the field thanks to Dolata’s scrambling ability and McCann running over defenders to score a 5-yard touchdown. Cloverleaf’s next drive had Letner start chipping away at the defense. Throwing screens and hitches to receivers who made the most of it. However, after a 15-yard completed pass that looked like it would set up the Colts in the red zone, Buckeye Defensive Back Nick Balaban ripped the ball out, with Defensive Linemen Curtis Gunkelman recovering.
The Bucks took advantage of the fumble by scoring another touchdown by, guess who, McCann, who took it in for 5 yards this time. While the half was not going well for Cloverleaf, they did manage to stop the Bucks from scoring on their final drive of the quarter. Holding them to a field goal before forcing it to be missed. Despite being down 28-7, Cloverleaf was still putting up a fight.
3rd Quarter
The third quarter is not usually the time when a team puts the nail in the coffin, but the Bucks somehow did that. On their first two offensive drives, McCann once again scored two touchdowns on each of them (One for 43 yards and the other for 47). With both those drives lasting 5 plays or less. Cloverleaf tried responding by airing the ball out, but Defensive Back Jackson Schimdt snagged the ball for an interception. The Bucks used the sudden change of possession to score on a 10-yard touchdown run by Running Back Brayden Sopko.
4th Quarter
During the fourth quarter, the Colts started airing out the ball and found success. On their first drive, Tomes threw it up to Sophomore receiver Isaac Smith for a 27-yard touchdown. Smith again was found for a 36-yard touchdown on the ensuing drive, thrown this time by Letner. Despite the heroic efforts of Cloverleaf, Buckeye ran out the clock, securing victory for the Bucks.
Player of the Game
Buckeye Running Back Troy McCann was on a mission tonight. On only 22 carries, he ran for 290 yards and set the school record for most rushing touchdowns in a game with 6.
