After a first quarter of sensational plays, the Stanley County Buffaloes rushing offense took charge, and kept the Sully Buttes Chargers on their heels to come away with a 42-20 victory Friday night in Onida.
The Buffs were driving on their first possession, but were picked off by Logan Severson. The Chargers started deep in their own territory, and had a bad pitch that Stanley County’s Case Kolda recovered in the end zone to make it 6-0. The Chargers responded with a solid return, capped by a Wesley Wittler to Gavin Barber seven yard TD pass to tie the score. On the next possession, Colton Brady took the ball 85 yards to give the Buffs the lead back, 12-6. On the ensuing kickoff, Barber again found the endzone with a 90 yard return to tie it at 12. Brady then stepped up for the Buffs again with a 64 yard run to paydirt to make it 20-12 with the two point conversion. Brady added another run down the left sideline for 32 yards to pad Stanley County’s lead 28-12 with the conversion. They weren’t done, a 15 yard pass from Broch Zeeb to Barrett Schweitzer made it 36-12 at the break. Both teams scored in the second half, but Stanley County used the run to bleed the clock, and go to 1-0 on the season, while the Chargers slip to 0-1, and a road game to Hoven against Potter County awaits Friday night.
Sully Buttes caused four Stanley County turnovers, three interceptions and a fumble recovery, but the Buffs snuffed out any drives the Chargers tried to muster.
Stanley County now awaits the DeSmet Bulldogs to Ole Williamnson Field Friday night. About the only blemish on the Buffs night was a shoulder injury to Brady that kept him out of the lineup the entire second half. Brady finished with 163 yards, with Stanley County totaling 312 on the ground and through the air. Sully Buttes finished with 125 total yards.