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Stanton running back Evan Cox fights for every inch in the Buffs Friday night season opening victory over Grape Creek. -
Stanton quarterback Tyler Benedict rumbles into the end zone for the Buffs first touchdown of the season.
STANTON – The Stanton Buffaloes started off the season better than half the teams in the state after beating Grape Creek 8-0 Friday night at Buffalo Stadium in Stanton.
“It’s always great to start with a win,” said Stanton coach Cody Hogan. “It keeps the kids excited and starts the year off on the right foot.”
Stanton’s defense kept the Eagles grounded giving up just one first down and 10 total yards in the first half. For the entire game Grape Creek only managed 90 yards and three first downs.
“I was most impressed with our defensive effort and pursuit to the ball,” said Hogan. “There were not very many times on film that I counted less than eight of our players around the tackle.”
The Buffaloes offense, while not as outstanding as the defense, had a decent night gaining over 200 yards and averaging more than five yards per play.
However, the Buffs struggled to get out of their own way on multiple occasions stalling drives and limiting the scoreboard to just eight points.
“We have to improve offensively by not shooting ourselves in the foot with penalties and making sure we know our assignment on every play,” added Hogan.
Next on the schedule for Stanton are the Merkel Badgers. Merkel beat Reagan County last week 46-14.
“Merkel has some speed at the skill positions and can score quickly if we don’t tackle well,” said Hogan. “They can be under center or in a spread package offensively.”
In order to string together a pair of wins, the Buffaloes will need to continue dominating the line of scrimmage and continue improving focus on the offensive side of the ball. Hogan also stated, “We need to cut out the self-inflicted wounds of penalties on good drives.”
Tyler Benedict led Stanton in passing with three completions for 22 yards. Benedict also gained 67 yards on the ground and scored the only touchdown.
Miguel Moreno led the Buffs ground attack with 71 yards followed by Austin Hewtty with 45 and Marco Armendarez with 20. Evan Cox gained 10 yards and Rene Samora picked up six.
Josh Hensley and Moreno caught one pass apiece for nine yards each and Cox had one reception for two yards and two points.
Stanton’s defense was led by Eddie Wittenbarger with seven tackles and a forced fumble.
Also racking up tackles was Moreno with seven, Hewtty six, Ashton Smith five and Cox four.
Armendarez, Hoyt Mims, Landen McDaniel, Israel Cazarez, and Payden Alberts totaled three tackles each while Hensley, Roberto Perez and Samora had two each.
Adrian Scott and Benedict rounded out the books with one tackle each.
Also on defensive, Mims recorded an interception and Cox a fumble recovery.
Friday’s game will be in Merkel with kick-off set for 7:30 p.m.