Rainy weather usually means cuddle up and watch a movie, but not on Friday nights in
the fall. Boyd Buchanan (8-1, 4-1) and Notre Dame (0-9, 0-6) squared off under the lights in the
pouring rain. The Buccaneers stuck to their identity and attacked the Irish defense in a variety of
ways, winning 41-22.
Boyd Buchanan held the Irish on their first drive to a three and out before taking the ball
69 yards on 13 plays on its first offensive drive. Senior Eli Evans followed the right tackle into
the end zone for a 5-yard score to take a 7-0 lead.
The Buccaneers forced another three and out on the Irish’s second drive and partially
blocked the punt to give their offense good field position. Junior quarterback Eli Morris
connected with Evans on a 28-yard touchdown catch to cap off a six-play 40-yard drive to increase
the lead to 14-0.
“They’re playing in the same conditions that we are,” two-way star Eli Evans said. “We
just fought till the end.”
Notre Dame’s offense finally got going in the second quarter as they put together an 11-play drive to get into Buccaneer territory, but the 42-yard field goal attempt was missed wide
right.
Both teams traded fumbles on their next respective drives, but Boyd Buchanan was able
to capitalize on their turnover. Morris scored on a 37-yard scramble, but the extra point was wide right to make it 20-0 at the break.
The rain came down in the third quarter and so did the touchdowns. Both teams
combined for six TDs in the 12-minute span. Morris made the Irish corner bite on a pump
fake for a second time as he found junior wide receiver JaMichael McGoy on a 63-yard bomb to
extend the lead to 27-0.
Notre Dame rallied behind senior Jeffery Watkins Jr. in the second half as he ran for 351
yards and three touchdowns, but ultimately were unable to stop the Buccaneer offense.
“Jeff (Watkins Jr.) is just one of those kids who is a warrior,” Notre Dame Head Coach
Charles Fant said. “You watch the practice film and it doesn’t matter, he’s just the hardest
worker.”
Freshman Matthew Stone got on the score sheet as he broke multiple tackles on the way
to the end zone on a 34-yard run. Morris burned the Irish secondary for a third time as he found
senior wide out Miguel Medina on a 48-yard touchdown pass.
Compared to the third quarter, the final 12 minutes were uneventful with just two points
added to the scoreboard. Boyd Buchanan faced a fourth-and-17 from their own two yard
line and rather than giving Notre Dame good field position, they elected to purposefully take the
safety so they could pen the Irish back on the ensuing kickoff. The Buccaneers shut down
Watkins Jr. in the fourth quarter to hold on to win.
“I just felt like our boys gave it everything they got,” said Boyd Buchanan Head
Coach Jeremy Bosken. “We didn’t care what the weather was, we just want to play ball
together.”
Boyd Buchanan will travel to Knoxville to play for the Division II, Class AA, East
Region title against Knoxville Grace (7-2, 4-1) next Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Notre Dame’s season comes to a close as they finished bottom of the region, but will look
to improve next year.
Scoring Summary
BB 14 6 21 0--41
ND 0 0 20 2--22
1 st
BB Eli Evans 5-yard rush (Campbell kick) 7-0
BB Eli Evans 28-yard pass from Eli Morris (Campbell kick) 14-0
2 nd
BB Eli Morris 37-yard run (Campbell kick no good) 20-0
3 rd
BB JaMichael McGoy 63-yard pass from Eli Morris (Campbell kick) 27-0
ND Jeffery Watkins Jr. 2-yard rush (Hill kick) 27-7
BB Matthew Stone 34-yard rush (Campbell kick) 34-7
ND Jeffery Watkins Jr. 34-yard run (2 point conversion no good) 34-13
BB Miguel Medina 48-yard pass from Eli Morris (Campbell kick) 41-13
ND Jeffery Watkins Jr. 38-yard rush (Hill kick) 41-20
4 th
ND Eli Morris safety 41-22
Stats
Passing: BB: Eli Morris 8/15 231 3TDs, Eli Evans 1/1 30 ND: Watkins Jr. 0/2
Rushing: BB: Eli Morris 15/84 1TD 1FUM, JaMichael McGoy 4/7, Eli Evans 5/-1 1TD, Mathew
Stone 11/152 1TD ND: Jeffery Watkins Jr. 44/351 3TDs
Receiving: Eli Evans 3/80 1TD, JaMichael McGoy 4/95 1TD, Miguel Medina 1/48 1TD