Zucal, CamCo run past Bucktail 54-6 in opener

By Bees O’Brien

EMPORIUM- Bucktail knew entering their 2025 season opener at Cameron County that the Red Raiders’ top weapon was Malakai Zucal. They were right. Zucal scored on both sides of the ball, including a pick six and two more scores on the ground. All of which came well before the first half drew to a close.

The Bucks opted to defer the coin toss, giving Cameron County possession and a quick drive that lasted just 1:29. Zucal ripped off a 25-yard run that set up his first score from nine yards out. Kamden Fragale’s PAT gave the host Red Raiders a 7-0 lead with over 10 minutes remaining in the quarter.

Bucktail got some strong runs from Stephen Heiser on their first possession, but a strong run from Levi Stevenson was coughed up giving the ball back to CamCo.

The Bucks struggled all night with fumbles during the center exchange to the quarterback, but only gave up two of the nearly a dozen bobbles for turnovers.

Cameron County took advantage. Gabe Novak connected with Taylon Tucker on a 25 yard strike, setting up a score when the CamCo quarterback called his own number from 3 yards out. Fragale missed the PAT, but his squad up 13-0 after one quarter of play.

Touchdowns from Fragale and Zucal helped the Red Raiders extend their lead to 27-0.

The Fragale score seen the first of two blocked kicks by freshman JJ Ditty. Ditty was a bright spot all night long for the Bucktail defense, highlighted by a huge tackle for loss on Zucal and was Bucktail’s play of the night on defense.

Trailing 27-0, the Bucks tried to go through the air. Freshman quarterback Corbin Pentz made his only mistake of the night on an underthrown pass that was returned by Malakai Zucal 20 yards for the score. A Fargale run on the conversion extended Cameron County’s lead to 35-0 with 5:53 remaining in the half.

Pentz, when allowed to go to the air was firing bullets. He finished the game with 65 yards on 5 of 6 passing and his best throw of the night came with just 10 seconds remaining in the half.

Pentz found Teagan Stone open on a 35-yard scoring strike to get the Bucks on the scoreboard before halftime.

Stone had a strong effort on the night, catching two passes from Pentz for 50 yards.

The Bucks found themselves in the mercy rule in the second half. The Red Raiders added rushing touchdowns from Tucker and Michael Snyder to set the 54-6 final score.

Cameron County is set to host West Branch next week, while Bucktail will make a long trip to Renaissance Academy in Phoenixville on Friday night. The Knights dropped their opener to 4A Thomas Edison 46-6.

Bucktail 0 6 0 0 6

CamCo 13 28 6 6 54

RUSHING

BUCKTAIL- Pentz 11-50, Heiser 9-25, Stone 3-40, Stevenson 3-19 TOTAL 26-134

CAMCO- Zucal 8-98 2TD, Fragale 4-37 2TD, Snyder 7-46 TD, Pearson 2-9, Novak 1-3 TD, Ramsey 1-3, Tucker 1-1 TD TOTAL 24-197 7TD

PASSING

BUCKTAIL- Pentz 5-6 65 yds TD INT

CAMCO- Novak 3-3 55 yds, Tucker 2-2 30 yds

RECEIVING

BUCKTAIL- Stone 2-50 TD, Heiser 3-15

CAMCO- Tucker 2-30, Pearson 1-24, Snyder 1-24, Borden 1-6

First Downs CamCo- 9, Bucktail 10

Penalties CamCo 6-30, Bucktail 1-5

Turnovers CamCo-0, Bucktail 3