East Chambers Buccaneers Cage theLiberty Panthers 30 – 10

By Sharisa Nelson, Sports Reporter

   The East Chambers Buccaneers traveled to Liberty on Friday, September 12th where they caged the Panthers with a score of 30-10.  

   The first quarter was touch and go with turnovers, fumbles and missed opportunities for both the Buccaneers and the Panthers, but the Bucs got back in the game in the 2nd quarter and held the Panthers from scoring for the remainder of the game.

 The Liberty Panthers had the first possession of the ball. The Panthers missed a lateral and was picked up by the Bucs #7 Reid Todd where he rushed for a Bucs TD with 9:54 left in the 1st. Bucs #6 Adan Garcia’s kick was good for a score EC 7 Liberty 0.

   Garcia’s kickoff was out of bounds at the 35yd line. East Chambers #81 Rylan Fontenot sacked the Panther QB for a loss. The Panthers were forced to punt a 45yd FG with 6:14 left in the 1st and bringing the score to EC 7 Liberty 3.

   Bucs #2 Colby West returned the kickoff to 26yd. There was an unfortunate over thrown snap by the Bucs and recovered by Liberty resulting in a Panther TD with 5:47 left in the 1st. EC 7 Liberty 10

  Liberty’s kickoff was recovered by Liberty at the 34yd line. Bucs #7 Reid Todd blocked the FG punt with 1:55 left in the 1st, East Chambers ball.   

  Bucs QB #15 JD Zurby quick pass to #1 Koby Jones, bring up 2nd down to end the 1st quarter.

  Bucs QB #15 Zurby connected with #3 Ethan West for a completion and a Buccaneer 1st down. Bucs #5 Rashard Hale on the carry and a loss of yard brings up 2nd and 9. #5 Hale carries for the Bucs again and just shy of 1st down. #15 Zurby with a QB keeper and a Buccaneer 1st down. #5 Hale caries for the next few downs.  Bucs QB #15 Zurby attempts a pass to #12 Tanner Salazar near the end zone and the pass was dropped. Bucs kicker #6 Garcia kicked a 28yd FG for 3 points tieing the game EC 10 Liberty 10 with 7:19 left in the half.

  Liberty struggled with possession of the ball and was forced to punt.

  Bucs #5 Hale rushed for 41 yards and a 1st down.  False start for the Bucs and loss of yards. Bucs #24 Luke Hampton on the carry. QB #15 Zurby connected with #12 Salazar for an 8yd pass and a Bucs 2nd and 10.  Bucs #5 Hale carried for 8yd. QB #15 Zurby connected with #5 Hale for a reception and a Buccaneer TD. Garcia’s kick was no good. Bringing the score EC 16 Liberty 10 with 1:15 left in the half.

  Liberty struggled again with ball handling when their pass and intercepted by the Bucs #5 Hale for 33 yds. End 1st half with a score of EC 16 Liberty 10

  East Chambers Bucs and the Liberty Panthers both fought in the 3rd quarter to add points to the board, but with determination, the Bucs scored another TD with 2:59 left in the 3rd quarter. Bucs #24 Hampton rushed for 37 yd for a Buccaneer TD. Garcia’s kick was good bringing the score to EC 23 Liberty 10.

  Bucs #7 Reid Todd had a tackle for loss when he sacked the Panthers QB. This forced the Panthers to punt on 4th down.

  The Bucs weren’t slowing down, they wanted another TD to finish off the Panthers. In the 4th quarter, QB #15 Zurby connected with #2 Colby West for a completed pass and a Buccaneer TD. Garcia’s kick was good and brought the score to EC 30 Liberty 10.    

   The Buccaneers were led by QB #15 JD Zurby with 7 of 12 passes for a total of 92 yards, resulting in 2 TDs, and 8 carries for a total of 58 yards. 

   East Chambers rushed for a total of 254 yards. Rushing for the Bucs #5 Rashard Hale with 13 carries for 104 yards; #1 Koby Jones with 3 carries for 9 yards; #10 Darius Edmonson with 3 carries for 28 yards; #16 Jessie Moore with 2 carries for 12 yards; and #24 Luke Hampton with 2 carries for 43 yards and 1 TD.

  Receiving for the Bucs: #2 Colby West with 2 receptions for 31 yards, and 1 TD; #3 Ethan West with 1 reception for 10 yards; #5 Rashard Hale with 1 reception for 22 yards; and #12 Tanner Salazar with 3 receptions for 29 yards.

   The Buccaneers were led defensively by: #7 Reid Todd with 9 solo tackles, 2 assists, 1 sack, and 1TFL; #24 Luke Hampton with 5 solo tackles, and 1 assist; #52 Aiden Baker with 5 solo tackles, and 2 TFL; and #5 Rashard Hale with an interception for 33 yards.

   Kicking for the Bucs #6 Adan Garcia with 6 kickoffs; 2 punts; 3-4 extra points; and 1-1 field goal.

   The Buccaneers have a Bye this week and will start District play on Friday, September 26th when they will travel to Buna to take on the Buna Cougars with kickoff at 7:30pm.