The Buffaloes were focused on one main goal in their first game of the season last night, improvement. After a tough, injury-riddled 2-6 season last year, the Buffaloes felt confident they could more adequately compete with their vaunting schedule in 2025. Stanley County dealt with the injury bug early a year ago losing four key players in the first quarter of their first game a year ago, but with a new look offense and a new QB calling plays, the confidence level was certainly higher going into last night’s test against the Rangers.
The first quarter was a blur, both teams running their no-huddle, up-tempo offense to near perfection as both teams combined for 45-points in the first 12 minutes. It was a proverbial boxing match, each team landing haymakers to each other.
Midway through the first half, Stanley County held a 24-21 lead after scores from Landon Bame, Brendon Bothwell and Paxton Deal put them out in front. The Buffaloes would mount a stop against the Rangers and get the ball back with hopes of extending their lead. But a fumbled handoff from Weston Prince to Landon Bame would set up the Rangers with golden field position, and they would regain the lead two plays later. The Rangers would not look back after that.
Hill City capped off the first half with a Houdini-like play from Brensen Veneklasen who somehow eluded two tacklers before scurrying for a 19-yard touchdown run at the buzzer.
Hill City’s defense would take the ball away consistently in the second half burying the Buffaloes and going onto win 72-32.
Stanley County falls to 0-1 while the Rangers start 1-0, and the Buffaloes will look to get their first win next week against the 2024 State Runner-Up Parkston Trojans next Friday night.
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