Buffalo 37, Rogers 35

November 27, 2020

Class 3A Division II Regional Semifinal

Waco ISD Stadium, Waco

The contrast in styles was evident in this Black Friday regional semifinal rematch of District 13-3A Division II foes. Buffalo and its high-flying offense was able to sneak past ground-and-pound Rogers for the second time in 2020 in an absolute thriller at Waco ISD Stadium.

Both defenses controlled the game early on as the only points of the first quarter came on a 25-yard field goal from Francisco Saldana to stake Buffalo to a 3-0 lead. Buffalo would add to the lead with 9:06 left in the second quarter as Kyle Harrison made a spectacular 24-yard touchdown reception on a pass from Brett Hoffman to give the Bison to a 10-0 lead.

Rogers would quickly answer on their next series as Christian Watkins would score on an option pitch from 16-yards out to cut the Buffalo lead to 10-6. On the strength of a big run from Harrison, Buffalo would march to the Rogers 15-yardline on their next drive, but a holding penalty would derail the march and BHS would turn it over on downs. Rogers would strike on their next series and take the lead with just under two minutes remaining in the half as Riley Dolgener would hook up with Jacob Glasgow for a 68-yard touchdown pass to put Rogers up 13-10. Buffalo would quickly answer the Rogers big play as QB Hoffman would score from a yard out with under a minute remaining in the half to send Buffalo to the locker room with a 17-13 edge.

Buffalo would get the ball to open the third quarter and quickly march down the field, extending the lead to 24-13 as Hoffman would connect with Ethan Williams for a 17-yard touchdown pass. After an exchange of punts, Rogers would cut the lead to 24-21 as Dolgener scored on a seven-yard run and Watkins would add the two-point conversion run to make it a three-point game with under four minutes left in the third quarter. Buffalo would strike with the big play on the next series as Hoffman and Harrison would connect for a 56-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead back to double digits at 31-21 with just over a minute left in the third quarter.  Rogers would again fire back in less than a minute as Christian Riley scored on a 13-yard touchdown run on a sweep play to cut the lead back to three at 31-28 as the third quarter wrapped up.

Buffalo’s offense continued to roll along at a high level as the lead was extended back to two scores as Hoffman threw a 33-yard touchdown strike to Jordan Rogers; the PAT was missed, but with just under 10 minutes remaining Buffalo led 37-28. Buffalo’s defense would stand tall on the next drive forcing a Rogers turnover on downs, but the Bison were unable to put the game away as they’d go three and out. RJ Cook would return the Buffalo punt down to the 23-yard line, giving the Eagles life with just over four minutes left in the game. Two plays later, Watkins would score on an eight-yard run and with 3:51 left, Rogers had cut the lead to 37-35. Needing a stop to get the ball back and go for the win, the Rogers defense was unable to get the stop they needed, and Buffalo would move to the Rogers 20-yard line and kneel the clock out to hang on for the win and their first ever trip to the regional finals.