Buna keeps rolling
Coogs rise up, do away with Tarkington 42-7
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

Blanton Craft

The Buna Cougars just keep on rolling.

Buna blew open a relatively close contest by scoring 28 second-half points to roll to an easy 42-7 victory over Tarkington Friday, Sept. 14.

"We had a 'Come to Jesus' talk at halftime and pointed some fingers and showed them that we weren't playing like a team like we had been," said Buna Head Football Coach Bradley

Morgan. "We got it all smoothed out at halftime and came out and played the second half like we had been playing." Five Buna turnovers in the first half slowed the Cougars from finishing off the Longhorns before the halftime break.

"We played real good on defense but offensively we didn't execute as good as we have in the past," Morgan said. "Turning the ball over was the problem."

Buna scored in the first and second quarters to take a 14-0 halftime lead but Morgan pointed out that three touchdowns runs were called back for penalties.

"We were doing things that we can't do in big district games coming up," Morgan said.

Anthony Smith led Buna with 149 yards and one touchdown while Justin Carrell rushed 11 times for 100 yards. Bryan Holmes ran for 80 yards and a touchdown while Blanton Craft scampered four times for 73 yards and two scores.

Anthony Smith

"We had a step back progresswise in the first half but that might have been the best thing to happen to us," Morgan said. "Hopefully, it got our attention that if we don't do the things we're supposed to do and the way we are coached, then bad things can happen."

So far this year, the Cougars haven't been strongly challenged during the pre-season and Morgan knows that tougher games lie ahead in district.

"As coaches, we have to get the mentally ready because there are going to be some challenges - we know they are coming," Morgan said. "We have to make them realize that and that every game will not be a blow out. We were in several close games last year so I think they understand that tougher games await ahead of us."

This week, Buna will host Hull-Daisetta in another non-district affair.

"They are a smaller school but I think their kids will be ready for us," Morgan said.

One aspect of the game that Morgan wants to see improved in the coming weeks is the passing game.

"We need to see if we can throw the football," Morgan said. "To win the big games, you have to be able to throw and we haven't proven that we can throw the football. There are still some things we have to do to get better and I think we are capable of doing it."