By By TOM NYHUIS / Niles Daily Star
BUCHANAN - A quick start by Berrien Springs gave the Shamrocks enough points to hang on for their eighth win of the season in a 43-28 victory over Buchanan in a Lakeland Conference football game at Memorial Field Friday night.
Two plays after the opening kickoff Berrien had its first score of the night as Shelby Wood connected with Scott Snyder with a 63 yard pass.
Buchanan's first drive of the night was a 13-play drive but that stalled out at the Bucks 16-yard line.
Berrien Springs worked the ball down field and finished off its second drive of the night with a two-yard run by Darius Whitehead with 1:27 to play in the first quarter giving the Shamrocks a 14-0 lead.
Buchanan next drive was a quick two plays after Berrien intercepted an Eric Cole pass at their own 15-yard line.
Three plays in to the second quarter Berrien's Wood sneaked the ball in from the one-yard line for the teams third score in as many drives. Wood passed to Matthew Jasper for the point after and the Shamrocks were on top for a quick 22-0 advantage.
Berrien recovered the kickoff at the 31-yard line and two play later they were in the endzone again on another Wood pass to Ryan Little for a 15-yard score and a 29-0 lead.
Buchanan again was making a charge for the endzone but a hard hit by Berrien's Jeffrey Roberts on Matt Dykema forced the ball loose and Roberts scooped up the ball and rumbled 82 yards for a touchdown and the Shamrocks had a commanding 36-0 lead with 4:17 to play in the first half.
Buchanan finally pushed the ball across the goal line driving the ball 66 yards, and capped off the drive on a one-yard quarterback keeper by Cole. Jase Andrews connected on the point after for the 36-7 score.
Berrien came up with the onside kick attempt and two plays later, after a 50-yard pass from Wood to brother Kolby Wood, Whitehead took the ball in from the three for what would be the Shamrocks' last score of the night and took a 43-7 lead at the half.
Cole brought back the Bucks in the second half and scored on a 4-yard run to trail 43-14.
Dan Toth blocked a Shamrocks' punt and Tim Witherow recovered ball at the Bucks' 26 and three plays later Cole hooked up with Toth for a 15-yard score. Andrews kick made the score 43-21.
Buchanan recovered the onside kick but was unable to move the ball. Buchanan's defense made a stop and Buchanan once again drove the ball for the goal line but another Bucks' fumble at their one-yard line cost the Bucks another scoring opportunity. After another Shamrock punt the Bucks' next drive ended in their third fumble of the night at their 35-yard line.
Berrien continued to have trouble moving the ball and the Bucks once again took control. This time the drive finished past the goal line on a one-yard run by Marques Hall for what would be the last score of the night and a 43-28 final.
Shane Collins led the Bucks with 118 yards on 12 carries and Dykema finished with 85 yards on 16 carries.
For the night Buchanan finished with 278 yards on the ground and Cole was 9-of-15 with one interception for 138 yards passing.
Wood was 10-14 for 197 yards in the air while the Shamrock rushing attack gained 197 yards with Whitehead doing most of the work for Berrien.