The Blue Earth Area Buccaneers knew it would be a tough game when they traveled to the Dodge Center to take on the Triton Cobras on Sept. 6, and they were right. The Cobras defeated the Buccaneers, 60-14.
The Tritons are the defending Section 2AA champions and are currently ranked No. 13 in Class AA in the latest Max Preps poll.
The Tritons wasted no time scoring. After kicking off to BEA, the Cobras’ Christian Valdez intercepted a Bucs pass on the first play from scrimmage and returned the ball for a touchdown. The extra point kick was also successful, giving the Tritons a 7-0 lead.
Following the Triton kickoff, BEA began their next attack from their own 39-yard line. The Buccaneers advanced the ball to the Cobras’ 30-yard line, but turned the ball over on downs.
Two plays later, the Tritons reached the end zone again, scoring a touchdown on a 65-yard touchdown from quarterback Pierce Peterson to Valdez, who also made the kick, giving the Cobras a 14-0 lead.
Triton added 19 more points in the second quarter to take a 33-0 lead by halftime.
The Buccaneers scored in the third quarter, with BEA starting their first touchdown drive from their own 22-yard line following a Cobras kickoff.
Quarterback Jacob Grandgenette rushed 38 yards to the Triton 40-yard line. Two plays later, Grandgenette completed a 40-yard touchdown pass to receiver Branson Hauskins. Grandgenette’s kick was good, but the Cobras still had a big lead at 40-7.
The Cobras were leading 54-7 going into the third quarter when the Buccaneers went on a six-play, 81-yard drive to score their second touchdown of the game. The score came on an 18-yard run by running back Brayden Ray. Grandgenette also made the extra point kick, and the Cobras ended the third quarter with a 54-14 lead.
Triton added six more points in the fourth quarter for a final score of 60-14.
BEA had 11 first downs to Triton’s 23. The Cobras had 571 total yards on offense to 268 for the Buccaneers.
Triton gained 313 yards on the ground and 258 through the air. BEA ran for 180 yards and threw for 88 yards.
Grandgenette completed 10 of 18 passes for 79 yards and a touchdown and also rushed 15 times for 118 yards.
Ray carried the ball eight times for 58 yards and one touchdown.
Hauskins was the Buccaneers’ leading receiver with four receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown.
BEA played Jackson County Central at Wilson Field in Blue Earth on Friday, September 13. Check next week’s Faribault County Register for the results of this game.