Bison shock Central

SWOOPE — Matt Gregory’s 79-yard interception return for a touchdown as time expired in the first half, capped off a 21-point second quarter for Buffalo Gap. The Bison were able stop the heavy passing attack of Central of Woodstock, keeping the pass happy spread offense to just six points in a 28-6 win.

The Bison defense came to play early and forced Falcons quarterback Matt Sherfey to scramble around all night long. The Falcons only had four offensive plays in the first quarter due to the balanced run attack of the Bison that melted away the clock.

“We haven’t played really well defensively the past few week. We challenged the kids this week and they stepped up tonight and played pretty well,” said Gap coach Rob Maxwell.

On their first offensive possession the Bison capped off a 13-play drive with a six-yard touchdown run by Phillip Smith to give the Bison the early 7-0 lead. Smith led the Buffalo Gap (5-3, 2-1 Shenandoah) running attack with 151 rushing yards on 29 carries.

On the next kickoff the Bison went with a little trickery and were able to recover an onside kick.

Gregory fell on the ball giving the Bison decent field position inside Falcons territory. Gap converted on the drive when Logan Huff scrambled in to the end zone from three yards out to give Gap the 14-0 lead.

The Bison put the game away for good late in the second quarter and all they needed was 33 seconds. Gap forced the Falcons QB Sherfey to fumble the ball, recovering it on the Falcons 19-yard line.

“Our defense really carried us tonight,” Maxwell said. “[Central] has a good offense and I thought we did a good job of playing the whole game. I don’t think we have really played the whole game all year and tonight I think we did that.”

On the first play Gap quarterback Trevor Campbell connected with WA Ruleman for the touchdown in the back of the end zone.

With only a few seconds remaining the Falcons had the ball in Bison territory with one last chance to score before the half, but Sherfey’s pass was tipped and intercepted by Gregory and he returned it to the house deflating all the energy from the Falcons giving the Bison a commanding 28-0 lead at halftime.

Central was able to score late in the fourth quarter, but it was a little too late as the Bison walked away on senior night victorious.

“Whenever we can get all of our seniors together they are a pretty good group. It seems like all of them have missed a game or two with injuries, but they play their hearts out for us,” Maxwell said.