BRENHAM – Playing in front of a large homecoming crowd, the top-ranked Blinn Buccaneers defeated No. 8 Trinity Valley Community College in a thrilling 40-37 win at Cub Stadium in Brenham. It marked the second time in three weeks that the Bucs have knocked off an undefeated top-10 SWJCFC opponent on their home field.
The Bucs (7-0, 4-0) jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead, driving 60-yards on seven plays, capped by a seven-yard touchdown run by redshirt freshman quarterback Eric Matthews (Brookshire Royal). The Cardinals (6-1, 3-1) would answer right away with a 77-yard scoring drive to tie the score at 7-7 with 8:38 left in the first quarter. The Bucs would then charge right back down the field with an impressive 12 play, 85-yard drive that ended on a four-yard touchdown pass from Matthews to sophomore wide receiver Jacob Bennett (Klein Collins), putting the Bucs up 14-7 at the end of one.
Trinity Valley would score the only points of the second quarter on a long, 74-yard drive, capped off by a three-yard touchdown strike from quarterback Tucker Carter to wide receiver Adrian Henderson. The next three possessions ended with punts, keeping the score tied 14-14 at the half.
The Cardinals would take a touchdown lead on their first possession of the third on a 64-yard touchdown pass from Carter to Drew Hellriegel. After both teams traded turnovers and punts, the Bucs would score on a 25-yard touchdown run by Matthews to even the score at 21-21. The Bucs defense would then force another Cardinal punt after a quick three-and-out, setting up a 50-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Marion Grice (Aldine Nimitz) on the very next play from scrimmage. The Bucs attempt at a fake field goal failed, making the score 27-21 at the end of three.
After the Cardinals kicked a 42-yard field goal on the opening possession of the fourth quarter, the Bucs chewed up 6:18 off the clock with an impressive 10 play, 80-yard drive that ending with a 2-yard touchdown keeper by Matthews. The Bucs would miss the PAT, making the score 33-24 with 6:56 remaining in the game. After another three-and-out stand by the Bucs defense, the offense would capitalize again with a 40-yard touchdown run by Grice, extending the lead to 40-24. However, the Cardinal offense would quickly score on an 80-yard touchdown pass from Carter to wide receiver Derel Walker, closing the lead to 40-30 with 3:34 left in the game. The Bucs would recover the onside kick attempt, but would miss a field goal attempt that could have put the game out of reach. Two plays later, the Cardinals would capitalize and score on a 27-yard touchdown strike, making the score 40-37 with 1:37 to play. The Bucs special teams would then seal the 40-37 win, recovering their second consecutive onside kick attempt.
Matthews once again led the Bucs with over 360 yards of total offense and three touchdowns. Grice led the rushing attack with 154 yards and two touchdowns.
The Bucs look to keep their winning streak alive as they travel to face Kilgore College on Saturday. The Bucs will then finish up the regular season on the road Oct. 29 against Cisco Junior College.
