EC Buccaneers Cage the Buna Cougars 21-14

Congratulations, Coach Sutherland on your 200th Win!

By Sharisa Nelson, Sports Reporter

  The East Chambers Buccaneers were on the road to play for their first District game of the 2025 season on Friday, September 26th where they took on the Buna Cougars. The Bucs came out on top against the Buna Cougars by a score of 21-14.

  The Bucs didn’t waist any time on their first possession to put points on the board. Buccaneers return the kickoff. QB #15 JD Zurby passes off to #10 Darius Edmonson for a 1st and goal. RB #5 Rashard Hale carries for 3 yards. Bucs #10 Edmonson makes the TD and Kicker #6 Adan Garcia’s kick is good. Bucs score 7 with 10:50 left in the 1st quarter.

  Buna Cougars 4th and 4 at 24 yard line and the Bucs force a turnover downs with 7:15 left in the 1st.

  Bucs score again with only 0:06 left in the 1st quarter. Score: Bucs 14 Cougars 0

  Cougars return the kickoff in 2nd quarter. After lots of work to make it down the field, the Cougars put 6 points on the board with 5:56 left in the 2nd quarter. The Bucs defense held the Cougars from scoring the 2 point conversion.

  The Buna Cougars attempted and onside kick and it didn’t even make it 10 yards. Bucs have possession at the Cougar’s 44 yard line. After multiple attempts to move the ball down the field, the Cougars regain possession of the ball after a Buccaneer turnover on downs with 1:56 left in the 2nd quarter.

  After half-time, both East Chambers and Buna were scoreless in the 3rd quarter.

  Since it was Buna’s Homecoming and they were behind 8 points, the pressure was on in the 4th quarter. Buna scored a TD and made the 2 point conversion with 9:03 left in the game. The Buccaneers had time to answer and win the game 21-14.

  The Buccaneers key player were RB #5 Rashard Hale with a total of 91 yards rushing and FB #10 Darius Edmonson with 28 yards rushing and 2 TDs.

  Quarterback #15 JD Zurby was 11 for 24 with a total of 94 passing yards. Receiving for the Bucs were: #3 Ethan West with 3 receptions for 18 yards and 1 TD; #2 Colby West with 2 reception for 11 yards; #5 Rashard Hale with 1 reception for 12 yards; #10 Darius Edmondson with 1 reception for 18 yards; #12 Tanner Salazar with 2 receptions for 13 yards; and #14 Jackson Seabaugh with 1 reception for 8 yards.

  Leading the Bucs defensively were #7 Reid Todd with 5 solo tackles, and 2 assists; #12 Tanner Salazar with 2 solo tackles, and 2 TFL; #52 Aiden Baker with 5 solo tackles, 5 assists, and 1 TFL; #22 Dalton Dishman with 6 solo tackles, and 5 assists; #44 Sean Beighley with 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, and 2 TFL; #8 Bryce Guillory with 5 solo tackles, 4 assists, and 1 TFL; #24 Luke Hampton with 7 solo tackles, and 4 assists; #32 Jovanni Gomez with 1 solo tackle and 1 TFL; #50 Christian Chavez with 4 solo tackles, 2 assists, 1 sack and 1 TFL; and #54 Jason Janak with 4 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 TFL, and 1 sack.

  Kicker #6 Adan Garcia was 3 of 3 scoring 3 points for the Bucs.

  Coach Sutherland commented, “Friday night’s game vs Buna was a hard fought game. Our players had to battle hard till the end and we found a way to get the victory. Every week in our district will be a battle.”

  Looking ahead, the East Chambers Buccaneers will host the Hardin Hornets on Thursday, October 2nd with kickoff at 7:30pm. Both EC and Hardin are undefeated.