By By TOM NYHUIS / Niles Daily Star
BUCHANAN - Buchanan's homecoming game Friday night against River Valley was all Bucks as they routed the Mustangs 55-0 in Lakeland Conference action.
Buchanan used eight different running backs to carry the ball for 420 yards rushing in the blowout.
Homecoming king Travis Reith carried the ball four times for 87 yards to lead the Bucks offense. Matt Dykema finished with 81 yards on five carries and a touchdown.
Buchanan got on the board first after recorvering a Mustang fumble, the first of two in the game for Valley, as Brenson Stroman took the ball in from two-yards out. Dykema ran in the extra point and the Bucks were on their way.
Shane Collins added the Bucks second score less then three minutes later taking the ball into the endzone from 14-yards out. Reith kicked his first of two PAT's of the night to put the Bucks out in front 15-0.
Damian Bryant, who carried the ball only three times in the game, scored the first of three touchdown that he recorded in the contest on a 13 yard run around the left side. Reith pushed the lead to 22-0 with his second kick of the night.
Dykema got his one TD of the night on a 13-yard blast up the middle early in the second quarter for a 28-0 advantage.
With just over three minutes to play in the first half Bryant broke loose for a 12-yard scamper and the Bucks had a commanding 34-0 lead.
Buchanan wasn't done adding points to the board as Reith took the ball 62-yard down the center of the field and crossed the goal line on a great block by John Mondschein at the 2-yard line. Jase Andrews came in for the point after and Buchanan took a 41-0 lead into the locker room.
Dykema started the second half with an 85-yard kick off return and Andrews kick put the clock in motion for the remainder of the game as the mercy rule went into effect.
Bryant capped off the scoring for the Bucks with a 20-yard run as he finished with 45 yards rushing on his three carries. Andrews third kick of the night gave the Buck the 55-0 final score. River Valley finished the night with 33 positive yards rushing and had 55 yard through the air on 12-of-22 passing by Mustang quarterback John Jackson. Valley falls to 0-7 as the young Mustang team continues to struggle.
Buchanan will now get ready for Bridgman next week as they host the Bees with game time set to begin at 7:30 p.m.
Anna Ferris was selected queen and Travis Reith was king of the Buchanan High School Homecoming 2005.