Bowling Green suffered a 29-14 loss to Wayne Academy in the District 4AAA opener for both teams on the road Friday.
The game nearly went to halftime scoreless, but Wayne Academy scored a touchdown and added the two-point conversion with 1:23 left in the first half and took an 8-0 lead to the break.
Bowling Green got within two on the first play of the second half when Cameron Bell ran 41 yards to the end zone. The two-point conversion was no good and it was 8-6 with 11:49 left in the third quarter.
Wayne scored two consecutive touchdowns to take a 22-6 advantage, but the Bucs got within a possession when Bell connected on a pass with Larry Dillon. The two players also connected for a two-point conversion pass to trim the deficit to 22-14.
The score stayed that way until the early part of the fourth quarter. Wayne scored with 9:49 left in the game and hit the extra point to wrap up the scoring at 29-14.
Bowling Green coach David Currier said the defense played better, but wore down in the end.
Currier said his team is improving.
“We’re getting a little better, but it’s taking time. We’re just young and inexperienced,” Currier said.
Wayne had 450 yards of total offense to Bowling Green’s 179.
Bell finished with 85 yards passing with a touchdown and two interceptions. He also ran 13 times for 74 yards.
Dillon ran five times for 22 yards.
Defensively, Cade Morere and Gunner Peterson made 10 tackles each for the Buccaneers. C.J. Smith and Ben Bickham recorded seven tackles each. Cameron Brock made six tackles and intercepted a pass.
Bowling Green fell to 0-4 for the season. The Bucs are back in action Friday when they host Oak Forest Academy. The Yellow Jackets are 4-0 after capturing a 21-6 victory over Silliman Institute.