By By MICHAEL BASHARA / Niles Daily Star
BUCHANAN -- The Buchanan football team scored quickly and often as it defeated River Valley 43-7 in Lakeland Conference Football action on Friday night.
Buchanan scored on each of its first seven possessions.
The first score came just minutes into the game following a River Valley punt. Buchanan quarterback Gordon Bryant rambled around the right end for 36 yards, and Kyle Cornwell carried the final two yards for the touchdown. The extra point hit the crossbar and bounced back.
The second touchdown was a 70-yard run by Bryant, ending a four-play drive that covered 82 yards. Cornwell carried for the two-point conversion.
River Valley then started on its own 30-yard line. The Mustangs ran one play and then fumbled the ball back to Buchanan on the next play. Sophomore Brian Villwock recovered the fumble on the 30-yard line.
Buchanan scored for the third time in the first period on a 21-yard run by Bryant. Josh Wahlstrom kicked the extra point.
Bryant ended the night wit 122 yards in six carries, and Cornwell scored twice and ended with 153 yards in 11 carries. Buchanan ended the night gaining 348 yards rushing in three quarters as the final period was played on a running clock.
In the second period, River Valley put together a 71-yard drive that ended with a 29-yard blast up the middle by Randy Deaton. The extra-point kick by Andy Holub gave River Valley all its points for the evening.
Buchanan took River Valley's first kickoff, and after a 10-yard return by DuJuan Bennett, the Bucks scored in seven plays. Bennett broke open up the middle for 12 yards. Walhstrom added the extra point.
Bennett blocked a field goal attempt as the first half came to a close.
Buchanan got the ball on the 20-yard line with just seconds to go in the first half. Bryant took off around the left end and went 80 yards for an apparent score, but an offensive penalty nullified the play, and the first half ended with Buchanan leading 28-7.
The Bucks started the second half covering an onside kickoff. Then nine plays later Jared Rusher carried nine yards up the middle for the score. It was a five-play drive that covered 53 yards. Wahlstrom added the extra point to make the score 35-7 with 10:22 left in the third period.
River Valley went another three and out and Buchanan started on the 44-yard line. The Bucks put together a two-play drive that ended with Cornwell running 63 yards off tackle. A bad snap on the extra point forced Cornwell to run for the two-point conversion.
Buchanan, now 1-5 overall and 1-3 in Lakeland play, will travel to Bridgman next Friday night at 7:30. River Valley drops to 1-5 and 0-4.