By By TOM NYHUIS / Niles Daily Star
BUCHANAN – It took just 22 offensive plays for Buchanan to take a 62-21 Lakeland Conference football win Friday night as the Bucks celebrated their homecoming win over rival Brandywine.
Clinton Orr carried the ball just nine time but he made those carries count punching the ball across the end zone five times and rushing for 153 yards. The Bucks as a team picked up 258 yards on the ground and 29 yards on 1-of-1 passing by quarterback Derek Anglero.
For the Bobcats there offense ran 71 plays but six turnovers, five interceptions, one for a touchdown, and a fumble recovery in the end zone for the Bucks added to the Buchanan scoring.
"We didn't have an answer early for Clinton (Orr)," Brandywine coach Terry Borr said following the loss. "They came out in I and ran sweeps which was a smart play by them (Buchanan). We tried to have our best personal where we thought they were going to run. We didn't get it done."
Bryant Miller had a 66-yard interception return for a touchdown and Tony Parris covered the loose ball in the end zone after a high snap sailed over Greg Beaver's on a fourth down at the Bobcat 30. The ball went across the goal line and in the scramble for the ball Parris came up with the ball for the Bobcat turnover and a Bucks score to give his team a 48-21 lead late in the third quarter.
"A couple of huge turnovers. When Bryant (Miller) got that pass interception, he ran track for me and I know how fast he is and I figured he was going to score," Buchanan coach Joe Austin said. What a game Clinton Orr had. We tried to get him out in space there tonight and it worked. We have a long way to go and this was a huge game for us because it was a very disheartening loss to Cass last week. For us to bounce back in a big homecoming game like this is huge."
Brandywine shocked the Bucks to start the game taking their opening drive 59 yards in two play for the games first score as Warren Watson carried the ball in from the 4-yard line after Beaver hit Ralph Sater for a 55-yard passing play to open the game.
Orr responded for the Bucks taking their first play from scrimmage 38 yards for the first of his five touchdowns of the game. Orr also had runs of 16, 55, 19 and 10. Aaron White added a 3-yard tote and Bennie Jones carried the ball in from the 24-yard line for the final score of the night to give the Bucks a 62-21 lead and set the mercy rule in effect with a running clock with 5:14 to play in the game.
After the Bucks tied the game at seven Beaver gave the Bobcats their second lead of the game capping of a 15 play 63 yard drive with a 2-yard dive across the goal line. A missed PAT put the Bobcats up 13-7.
Orr and company answered back with a 2-play 31 yard score as Orr carried the ball on both carries. Tyler Knisley hit 8-of-9 PAT kicks for the Bucks.
Warren Watson carried the ball 19 times for the Bobcats for a total of 86 yards rushing. Brandywine finished the night with 150 rushing and 95 yards passing as the Bobcats finished the night 6-of-17 through the air. Beaver hit Jesse McCombs as the first half came to an end for a 14 yard pass and Beaver connected on the PAT with Taylor Ort to keep the Bobcats in the game trailing by just one touchdown 21-28.
"What a great first half Brandywine played. They hit that pass with one second left and that gave them a lot of momentum you know and it's 21-28 and we have a whole new ball game. I challenged our kids at halftime and said 'Did you think this was going to be easy'. This is a big rivalry for us and they always play us tougher. We got some breaks in the second half and that turned the tide. Coach Borr had his kids ready to play," Austin said.
Brandywine 13 8 0 0 21
Buchanan 14 14 20 14 62
BW – Warren Watson 4 run
Greg Beaver kick
BU – Clinton Orr 38 run
Tyler Knisley kick
BW – Beaver 2 run
kick failed
BU – Orr 16 run
Knisley kick
BU – Orr 55 run
Knisley kick
BW – Beaver to Jesse Mccombs 14 pass
Beaver to Taylor Ort pass
BU – Orr 19 run
kick failed
BU -Bryant Miller 66 interception return
Knisley kick
BU- Tony Parris fumble recovery
Knisley kick
BU – Orr 10 run
Knisley kick
BU- Bennie Jones 24 run
Knisley kick