It wasn't as pretty as the first three, but it counts as win number four nonetheless.
Boyd-Buchanan overcame penalties, turnovers, general sloppiness and eventually visiting Howard Friday night, claiming a 28-18 nondistrict win over the Hustlin' Tigers.
"We've got some work to do, but we're 4-0 and I like the way we competed against a good, physical team," Buccaneers coach Grant Reynolds said.
The Bucs, who had moved up to No. 2 in Class 2A this week, had two potential scoring drives halted by interceptions in the first half but found plenty of success on the ground, even with running back John Hale nursing a sore ankle.
Quarterback Jim Cardwell ran for 156 yards and a touchdown and Rance Harden added two rushing TDs in the first half.
The Bucs' first score was set up by their defense, when they pushed Howard back 8 yards on its second possession and the Hustlin' Tigers had to punt from the end zone. Boyd-Buchanan took advantage of good field position after a short punt, needing just four plays to cover 27 yards with Harden scoring from 8 yards out.
Boyd-Buchanan forced a fumble on Howard's next possession, recovering at the Hustlin' Tigers' 15, and again Harden found the end zone. He leaped over a defender at the 2 on the 9-yard score.
The Bucs answered a Howard TD when Cardwell broke free for a 50-yard scoring run midway through the second quarter.
Stephen has covered local sports in the tri-state area for more than 20 years, starting at the News-Free Press as a 19-year-old reporter. He has been with the Times Free Press since its inception and has been an assistant sports editor since 2005. Stephen is among the most decorated writers in the TFP’s newsroom, winning numerous state, regional and national writing awards. He was named one of the top 10 sports writers in the nation ...
