Bye week slows Buna machine
Coogs open district with 48-7 victory
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

Just because District 24- 2A play started didn't stop the Buna Cougars from rolling to another impressive victory.

Buna jumped out to a 28- 7 lead at the half and rolled to an easy 48-7 thrashing of Anahuac in the district opener last Friday in Buna.

"That was one that we really wanted to win," said Buna Head Football Coach Bradley Morgan. "We wanted to play good and do what we needed to do. We have had a few people around here saying we haven't played anybody and I disagree with that totally.

"There were even some people in town that though when we got into district and played Anahuac, who beat us last year, that we would lose," Morgan said. "That left a bad taste in our mouth. We felt like we should have won last year. This was also the first district game of the year and we wanted to make a statement."

Morgan said the team was facing a "pressure" game for the first time this year because of last year's defeat at the hands of Anahuac.

"They had pressure to go out and play well and win in a big way," Morgan said.

Buna took a 7-0 firstquarter lead before getting rolling in the second quarter. The Coogs posted 21 second-quarter points and put the rout in full motion with 13 third-quarter points.

Morgan said early turnovers hurt the Cougars but he credited the play of the special teams for turning the contest around.

"I also thought that Anahuac played more physical than they had in their previous four games," Morgan said. "

For the contest, Buna secured 22 first downs to Anahuac's eight and amassed 388 rushing yards to the Panthers' 86 ground yards.

Anthony Smith paced Buna's ground attack with 134 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown while Bryan Holmes rushed for 74 yards on seven carries. Ryan Sheppard rushed for 64 yards and a touchdown while Blanton Craft added 45 yards on eight carries and a touchdown.

Defensively, Dylan Hussey led Buna with 13 tackles while Dillon Moss recorded 12 tackles and Kolby Baxter garnered 11 tackles.

"Dylan Hussey is a sophomore who has stepped up and is leading the team in tackles," Morgan said. "He has been a difference maker."

With Buna standing at 5- 0, Morgan said he believes his squad firmly believes in its talent.

"We were winning 28-7 at halftime but we had kids that were not happy with their performance," Morgan said. "We were winning but a couple had their heads down and were mad at themselves for mistakes."

In fact, senior linebacker Brian Holmes addressed the squad at the halftime break.

"He gave one of the best player speeches that I have heard in 20 years of coaching," Morgan said. "He just told the kids about sticking together and not getting down and playing together as a team and they needed to hear that."

Morgan said he welcomes this week's open date before resuming district play Oct. 12 in Kountze.

"We are halfway through the season and the kids and coaches are tired and its gives us a chance to take a breather," Morgan said. "It lets us get away from the grindstone and get refreshed. I think it comes at a perfect time of the season."

But did Morgan see Buna at 5-0 after its first five contests?

"Yes, I did," Morgan said. "Going off the success we had last year and having the kids returning I knew we had a chance to be real good."