Bucks outlast Barr, Wolverines to win opener 46-26

By Bees O’Brien

SHEFFIELD, PA- Sheffield head coach Mike Barr knew he was going up against a tough rushing attack in the Bucktail Bucks. Barr also believed his team could do positive things in Saturday’s matchup on Wolverine Mountain.  Sheffield did plenty of good, especially in the second half against a heavily favored Bucktail team. Eventually Bucktail’s talent came into play as the Bucks would fend off a late rally and pick up the 46-26 D9 League Region 3 victory.

The Wolverines could have easily folded after falling behind 32-0 at the half, but Sheffield kept firing away. Junior quarterback Colby Barr was literally firing away. Barr would set a career high with 285 passing yards and a pair of second half touchdowns to keep his team within reach.

It looked as though Bucktail (1-0, 1-0) was looking to put the game into the mercy rule early following a pair of Brody Pentz touchdown runs. The Bucks stopped two Sheffield drives inside the ten-yard line during the first half, which would lead to more Bucktail points.

Braylon Fantaski’s 27 yard run and a successful two-point attempt increased the Bucks’ lead to 24-0.

Tanner Pettingill would then bust the game wide open on a huge 73-yard run for the score. He would then convert the try for two and Bucktail would lead 32-0 as the half drew to a close.

Sheffield continued to fight and Barr would orchestrate an opening drive to start the second half. Barr would connect with Christian Garcia on a 27-yard touchdown strike to narrow Bucktail’s lead to 32-7.

Barr was far from done. He’d find Dylan Hardwick on a 41-yard strike, but on the ensuing kickoff Bucktail’s Brody Pentz would get his team some of those points back.

Pentz would break loose on a 78-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to extend Bucktail’s lead to 38-14.

Back would come Sheffield. Barr would connect again with Hardwick from 33 yards out for the score.

Braylon Fantaski and Tanner Pettingill would then re-enter the game and take over once again. Bucktail’s starting backfield would once again physically dominate the Wolverines. Fantaski would cap off a late Bucks’ drive with a 28-yard run and a Brett Mason two-point conversion would cap off Bucktail’s scoring for the day with a 46-14 lead.

Sheffield would have one last effort in their final drive of the day. Barr would once again reach pay dirt, but this time on the ground on a 1-yard run to set the final at 46-26.

Bucktail will now return home on Friday night and host West Branch (0-1) in a nonconference meeting. Sheffield will face Elk County Catholic in St. Marys on Friday night.