BUCS’ RALLY FALLS SHORT

The road to the playoffs just got a little longer for the Blinn Buccaneers.

Coming off a 42-28 loss to Navarro Saturday afternoon at Cub Stadium, the Bucs must win their regular season finale on the road Oct. 26 against the Cisco Wranglers and third-ranked Tyler must beat Kilgore in order for the Bucs to claim the final Southwest Junior College Football Conference playoff spot.

The Bucs (3-5, 2-3) were down early and struggled against a Bulldog (6-2, 4-2) attack that took a 28-7 lead at halftime. But for all its first-half struggles, Blinn rocketed out in the third quarter and scored on three straight drives.

The comeback started on their second drive when the Bucs found Kyle Fulks on a 26-yard reverse that made it a 28-14 game. Three minutes later, sophomore Klartel Claridy broke for a 19-yard run up the middle to cap a three-yard drive and make it a seven-point game.

After the defense forced a Navarro three-and-out, Blinn strung together a nine-play, 93-yard drive that was finished off by a 19-yard run by quarterback Garry Kimble to tie it at 28-all.

But for all of Blinn’s third-quarter success, Navarro put up 14 fourth-quarter points to end the Bucs’ comeback bid.

Claridy ran for 102 yards on 13 attempts and freshman Darrion Landry caught nine passes for 132 yards, including a second-quarter touchdown.

Kimble was 12-of-22 passing for 172 yards. Backup quarterback Logan Vinklarek threw for another 95 and a touchdown.

Navarro pounded the ball on the ground for 306 yards. Blinn combined for 413 yards of total offense, 267 passing.

Ron Knowles and Myles Curl led Blinn’s defense with 7.5 sacks, and Darian Childers picked up the Bucs’ only sack in the game.

For more information on Blinn football, visit www.buccaneersports.com.

 (Story & photos courtesy: Matt Kaiser, Blinn Information)