Cowboys tame Buffaloes - Central Oregonian News

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It was the Cowboy’s best performance of the year.

Crook County controlled the ball most of the night as they defeated the Madras White Buffaloes 23-6 in non-league football action.

“It’s coming together,” said head coach Ryan Cochran. “I thought our defense played a great game, and we were able to control the ball when we needed to.”

Crook County took the opening kickoff and drove 58 yards in 10 plays, finally scoring with 5:49 remaining in the first period. Rhett Smith capped off the drive with a six-yard touchdown run. Edgar Toledo kicked the extra point and the Cowboys led 7-0.

Madras responded with a drive of their own. The big play of the drive was a 39-yard touchdown pass from Andrew McConnell to Devin Ceciliani. Ceciliani appeared to touch his knee to the ground on the catch, but officials ruled that he wasn’t down and Ceciliani scampered the final 20 yards into the endzone. Madras missed the extra point attempt, and Crook County clung to a 7-6 lead.

It was as close as the White Buffaloes would get all night.

The Cowboys scored again on their next possession, taking a 14-6 lead late in the period. The Cowboys took advantage of a lucky break on the drive.

When Crook County quarterback Kole Brewer threw an interception, Crook County offensive lineman Ben McLane hustled down the field tackling the Madras defender. The tackle jarred the ball loose, and McLane recovered on the Madras 19-yard line. Three plays later, Brewer scored on a quarterback sneak.

From there, the Cowboys defense took over. Crook County stopped Madras, forcing a punt. When the snap sailed over punter Triston Smith’s head, he was unable to get the punt off, giving up a safety. The first half ended with the Cowboys still leading 16-6.

On the opening possession of the third quarter Madras was able to move the ball all the way to the Crook County 10-yard line before the Cowboy’s defense stiffened. McLane tackled the Madras runner for a loss of two yards. Then a false start penalty left the White Buffaloes with a fourth and 17, which they were unable to convert.

The Cowboys were unable to move the ball and were forced to punt the ball back to the White Buffaloes.

Once again Madras was able to move the ball effectively, but the Cowboys defense held. On fourth and seven, McConnell completed a pass to Jordan Brown, who looked like he was going to easily get the first down. However, Crook County’s Brandon Zemp came flying after Brown, tackling him two yards short of the first down.

The Cowboys proceeded to go on a 12 play, 85-yard drive chewing up 10 minutes on the clock.

Tyler Rockwood finally scored for the Cowboys on a 10-yard run with just 2:33 left in the game. Daryel Lopez made the kick and Crook County was ahead 23-6.

Madras was unable to move the ball on their final offensive possession, and the Cowboys took over on downs with 37 seconds left in the game.

From there Brewer took the snap and dropped to one knee, running the clock out.

“I’m proud of you,” Cochran told the team immediately following the game. “That was a battle. We set some goals for tonight’s game and we made our goals. We played with class and we played Cowboy football. That was a great victory tonight.”

First-year Madras head coach Rick Wells was also pleased with his team’s effort.

“Our kids are playing hard and I’m proud of them,” Wells said. “Crook County is a great football team. I coached their seniors when they were freshmen and even though it hurts to lose I couldn’t be prouder of all those guys. Crook County is going to do great things.”

The Cowboys offense was led by Brewer who finished with 64 yards rushing, while Rockwood and Smith each had 47 yards, and Zemp finished with 43.

Smith also had nine tackles on the night including two quarterback sacks. McLane added eight tackles and one sack, while defensive end Marcus Greaves had eight tackles and two sacks.

With the win, Crook County moves to 3-1 on the year, while Madras falls to 2-1.

The Cowboys start a three-game home stand on Friday when they host the Cascade Christian Challengers, who are 2-2 on the year. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.

“It is going to be a tough game,” Cochran said. “Cascade Christian is a solid football team.”