The Orangefield Bobcats set the tone early and never looked back on the way to a 49-22 win over Buna to open District 10-3A Division I play.
After holding Buna on the opening drive of the game, Orangefield only needed one play to score as running back Kane Smith ripped off a 73 touchdown run and a quick 7-0 lead for the Bobcats.
Following a three-and-out by the Cougars, Orangefield struck again this timed just needing four plays as Smith scored on a 13-yard jaunt up the middle. The Bobcats lead 14-0 after the Ty Butlet extra point.
The Orangefield defense decided to get in on the action as well in the first quarter as linebacker Kaleb Menard picked up a fumble on a strip-sack of Buna quarterback Toby Marse and returned it seven yards for a “scoop-and-score” touchdown for a 21-0 lead late in the first quarter.
The Bobcats defense held Buna to 252 total yards, most of it coming in the fourth quarter when the game was out of reach.
The Bobcats padded the lead in the second quarter, as fullback Fernando Sandoval-Rodriguez punched the ball in from the 1-yard line and a 28-0 going into halftime.
Orangefield received the opening kickoff of the third quarter and needed less than two minutes to extend the lead. On first and 10 from the Buna 43-yard line, running back Mason Manning took the ball around the right side and roared 43-yards for the touchdown.
Buna finally showed some signs of life as the Cougars marched the ball 70 yards in seven plays. The drive was capped off by running back Jacob Johnson on a 2-yard touchdown run to cut the Bobcats lead to 35-6 following the failed two-point attempt.
Orangefield responded quickly as the Bobcats needed just four plays to add to the scoreboard. Manning found the end zone again, this time on a 53-yard run through the Buna defense to put Orangefield ahead, 42-6.
Manning lead all rushers with 167 yards on nine carries and three touchdowns on the night. Smith had 136 yards and Sandoval-Rodriguez added 76 yards. The Bobcats had 380 yards on offense for the night, all on the ground.
Buna (3-2, 0-1) added two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Johnson scored on a 5-yard run through the middle to start the fourth quarter and, later, receiver Kayden Dill hauled in a 45-yard pass from Marse down the right sideline. Both two-point attempts were successful.
The Bobcats added a 22-yard touchdown run by Sandoval-Rodriguez in between.
Orangefield (2-3, 1-0) returns home next Friday to face off against the Anahuac Panthers. Anahuac (4-0, 1-0)) defeated Hardin, 13-0, on Friday.
-Tommy Mann, KOGT-
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