It was a picture perfect night in Fort Pierre for the Buffaloes to try and win their first home game of the season. A packed Ole Williamson Field played host to one of the Buffaloes most exciting games in years past, as they traded blows with the Rangers of Hill City for all four quarters.
Out of the gates, it looked like Hill City might control this one like they did a year ago when they beat Stanley County by 40 points. Rangers Mason Buehler took the opening kickoff 75-yards to the house to make it 7-0 after the extra point. After a Stanley County turnover, the Rangers drove the length of the field and looked like they might punch in another score. However, the Buffalo defense forced a fumble on their own 10 to keep it a one possession game.
A big run by Witt Meyers would carry the Buffaloes into Hill City territory, and a few plays later Bryant Zeeb would punch it in from one yard out.
On the ensuing drive, Jack Deal would pick off a floated pass from Buehler, leading to another long drive featuring Zeeb, Meyers and Carson Bourne on more big plays. Zeeb and the Buffaloes faced a 4th & 3 inside the red zone, but the quarterback got behind his offensive line and pounded the rock for another score to make it 12-7.
Just when it felt like the Buffaloes were taking the momentum back, Alan Harvey scooped a Buffs fumble and ran it back 60-yards for a score.
In the second half, the Hill City defense would force a punt and score on the very next play on an Alan Harvey 55-yard run. Unfortunately for the Rangers, Bueheler suffered an injury that would take him out of the game for the remainder of the night. After a rare missed extra point, the game remained a one-possession deficit for Stanley County.
Zeeb, Meyers and company pieced together another great drive that saw Zeeb score his third touchdown of the night. Following the score, the Buffaloes kept it on the ground and converted the two-point play.
With the Buffaloes defense pinning their ears back and overpowering the Rangers offensive line, they were able to get the ball back and make a push to win their first game. Zeeb marched them down the field and found Carson Bourne from about 15-yards out to score what would be the game winning touchdown.
The Buffaloes improved to 1-1 on the year and will travel to Bennett County next Friday night. The Rangers fell to 0-2 and will host New Underwood next week.
Comments