Cowart runs for 3 TDs, Bucs defense strong in win

Published 10:22 am Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Bowling Green’s Cameron Cowart ran for 118 yards and scored three times on his four carries, and the defense was stout throughout the Buccaneers’ 42-0 victory over New Orleans Home School under the lights at home Friday.
The defense limited the Saints to just 67 yards of total offense and forced three turnovers, including an interception return for a touchdown.
The pick-six was scored by Jace Ball in the first quarter. He got a good jump on a pass, picked it off and took it back 23 yards for the touchdown. At the time, it increased the Buccaneers’ lead to 21-0 after the extra point by Hayden Thompson. Also, Seth Schilling and Sammy Graves both recovered a fumble.
Bowling Green coach David Currier said the defense has been playing well. One of the reasons is because of experience.
“We’ve got eight guys back from last year, so experience, we’re more physical and we’re more confident,” Currier said. It took a year to get here. It takes time.”
The Buccaneers turned the game lopsided early on. Bowling Green jumped out to a 28-0 lead through one quarter and increased its lead to 35-0 by halftime.
New Orleans Home School began the game on its own 17 after the opening kickoff. The Saints moved a yard back in two plays, and on third-and-16, New Orleans fumbled the snap. Schilling recovered for Bowling Green at the Saints’ 12.
Two penalties on first down backed the Bucs up to the 27, but on first-and-25, Bowling Green scored its first touchdown of the 2015 season when quarterback Jordan Barnes took the snap and ran 27 yards to the end zone for the touchdown. Thompson, who was successful on all six of his extra points, split the uprights with the kick and the Bucs led 7-0, just 1:04 into the contest.
The Buccaneers forced a three-and-out and Cowart returned the punt 20 yards to the New Orleans 18. Bowling Green picked up 5 yards after a flag because the Saints had too many men on the field.
Cowart ran for 7 yards on first down. Ball ran for a yard, setting up second down and then Cowart tallied his first touchdown on the next play. He ran through a hole on the left side, broke a tackle at the 1 and scored. Thompson’s extra point increased the lead to 14-0, at the 8:13 mark of the first period.
Just 1:06 later, Bowling Green was back on the board. New Orleans faced third-and-25. The Saints attempted to throw, but Ball got a good break on the pass and picked it off. Ball ran 23 yards up the right sideline to paydirt. Thompson was good once again on the extra point, and the Bucs were up 21-0.
New Orleans ran three plays before having to punt from its 15. The 22-yard kick was downed at the Saints’ 37.
Seven plays later, the Bucs were back on the board, as Barnes ran it in from the 3. Thompson’s extra point made it a 28-point margin with 3:21 remaining.
The key play on the drive was a fourth-down conversion. Facing fourth-and-14 from the 28, Barnes connected with Ball. Ball nearly scored, but was tackled down at the 3. Bowling Green scored on the next play.
The score stayed 28-0 until the 5:08 mark of the second quarter. Bowling Green took over at its 45, and on the first play, Cowart added to the lead by running 55 yards for a touchdown. Thompson was good once again on the kick and it was a 35-0 advantage at halftime.
The second half was played with a running clock. Bowling Green received the second-half kickoff. Cowart was back in the end zone on the first play. This time he ran 51 yards for the touchdown. Thompson’s extra point closed out the scoring at 42-0.
Bowling Green is back in action Friday when it travels to Wayne Academy.
Last week, Wayne earned a 50-8 victory over Russell Christian.