By By TOM NYHUIS / Niles Daily Star
BRIDGMAN - Not being able to hang onto the pigskin and not having a way to stop a running back were the keys to Buchanan's 36-27 loss to Bridgman Friday night.
Bridgman's Jareth McMillen rushed for 173 yards and scored two touchdowns in the Bees final home game of the season.
The Bucks loss drops Buchanan to 3-5 overall and 3-3 in the Lakeland Conference while the Bees improve to 4-4 and 3-3.
Bridgman attacked the goal line first after blocking a Buck punt deep in Bee territory and taking the ball at their 14 yard line. Two plays later Alex Ottusch, who finished the night with 109 yards rushing, took the ball in from the 10 yard line and the extra point gave the Bees an early 7-0 lead.
Buchanan responded with a 64 yard drive to even the score on a six-yard run by Marques Hall.
But the Buck defense was unable to find a way to stop McMillen's running attack as the Bees bounced back on their next drive on a pass from quarterback Zac Nemitz to receiver Zach Welsher for a 20-yard strike and the Bees were on top once again 14-7.
Buchanan's next scoring drive was set up by a Bee fumble at their 35-yard line. Buchanan quarterback Eric Cole broke free and raced 63 yards for the score and the game was knotted up at 14.
Again the Bees bounce back with another scoring drive and McMillen scored on a seven-yard run. The extra point failed and it was a 20-14 lead at the half for the Bees.
Buchanan's opening drive in the second half looked as if the Bucks would tie the game up again but the misfortune of a fumble at their 29-yard line turn the ball over. The Bee made the Bucks pay for the miscue and marched down the field for another score on a two-yard Ottusch run and McMillen added the two-point conversion for a 28-14 lead.
Buchanan still managed to move the ball down field and pushed the ball across the goal line on a 16-yard run by Brenson Stroman up the middle and with Jase Andrews PAT kick the Bucks trailed 28-21.
McMillen sealed the game for the Bees capping on their next drive with a three-yard plundge and another two-point point after gave the Bees a 36-21 advantage.
With 7:14 to play the Bucks had the ball and driving but once again the ball sprung free and the Bees recovered. This time the Bucks defense stood strong and gave the Buchanan offense another shot at the goal line.
Eric Cole tossed a 7-yard strike to Brian Villwock to bring the Bucks rallying back. The point after run attempt was stopped and the Bucks trailed 36-27 with 1:07 to play. An onside kick attempt failed the the Bees ran out the clock for the win.
Each team finished with 354 total yards. Shane Collins led the Bucks with 82 yards on the ground with Cole picking up 80 while hitting 5-of-7 for 35 yards and a touchdown.
Buchanan will play their final home game next week as they host Berrien Springs on Friday night.