Buna makes statement in opening win at Orangefield
Smith, Craft lead way for Cougars

Last year, it took a couple games for the Buna Cougars to realize they were a football team poised to make their mark in Class 2A.

This year, the Cougars made a statement right off the bat.

Buna gave the Class 3A Orangefield Bobcats an early lesson as the Cougars claimed a 35-12 victory on the Bobcats' home turf Friday, Aug. 31.

Buna's Anthony Smith rushed for 83 yards and two touchdowns and added a third score via a 36-yard interception return. Smith keyed Buna's rushing machine as the Cougars rushed for 325 yards on 50 carries.

Buna's Blanton Craft led Buna with 116 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown scored.

Buna scored early against Orangefield when the Coogs scored on a 62- yard scoring run by Craft to give Buna a 7-0 lead just 20 seconds into the game.

Orangefield came right back and closed the gap when Jared Helton connected on a 22-yard scoring strike with 3:53 left in the first quarter.

But the Coogs came right with a 65-yard scoring drive, which was capped off when quarterback Justin Carrell scored from three yards out. With the successful PAT, Buna grabbed a quick 14-6 led with 10:19 left in the second quarter.

Buna continued to pad their lead in the first half when Smith intercepted a Helton pass and returned 64 yards for a touchdown. With the PAT, Buna held a commanding 21-6 lead at the halftime break.

Orangefield came right back in their first drive on the second half to cut Buna's lead to 21-12. Another Helton scoring pass cut the score down with 10:10 left in the third quarter.

While Buna's defense checked Orangefield's offense, the Coogs scored two more times to finish out the game. Two scores by Smith, one from 13 yards out and one from five yards out, finished out the fourth quarter and the victory.