Snow College scored 39 unanswered points and forced four turnovers to earn a 39-10 victory over Cisco College in its Southwest Junior College Football Conference debut Saturday in Cisco, Texas.
The Badgers trailed 10-0 late in the first quarter before scoring touchdowns on three consecutive possessions to take control. Snow College's defense took over from there, holding the Wranglers scoreless over the final three quarters and returning two fourth-quarter interceptions for touchdowns.
Snow College moved the ball effectively on its opening possession, converting a fourth-and-1 attempt on a 20-yard run by Jadyn Buckner. The Badgers advanced to the Cisco 9-yard line, but the Wranglers stopped Buckner on fourth down to end the 11-play drive.
Cisco capitalized on the stop and used a 71-yard run to move the ball inside the Snow College 15-yard line. Three plays later, the Wranglers found the end zone on a 9-yard touchdown to take a 7-0 lead.
A special teams penalty gave Cisco the ball at the Snow College 38-yard line on its next possession. The Badgers kept the Wranglers out of the end zone, but Cisco connected on a 41-yard field goal to extend the lead to 10-0.
Snow College needed just two plays to respond. Buckner opened the drive with a 50-yard run before Dylan Story found LaDainian Wall for a 25-yard touchdown. Ian Sanches converted the extra point, trimming the deficit to three with 1:58 remaining in the opening quarter.
The Badgers' defense came up with the first of its four interceptions early in the second quarter. Caleb Darthard deflected the Cisco quarterback's pass into the air where Maxx Johnson was waiting, and the Badgers took over at the Cisco 38-yard line, giving Snow College its best starting field position of the game.
Snow College turned the takeaway into points. Story connected with Lael Rhodes for 25 yards before Aquaylis Jordan scored on a 10-yard run on third and 7. The 2-point conversion attempt failed, but the Badgers had their first lead of the game at 13-10.
Cisco threatened to regain the momentum midway through the second quarter when it moved the ball to midfield. Mote Mounga and Kolter Stuart combined for a 9-yard sack on third down, forcing the Wranglers to punt.
An interception stymied the drive, but the Badgers got the ball back at their own 42-yard line with 1:15 remaining in the half. Story completed passes to Rockwell Magleby, Rhodes and Kade Haroldsen as Snow College moved into the red zone. A pass interference penalty placed the ball at the 6-yard line before Story connected with Grayden Dumas for a touchdown with 13 seconds remaining.
Sanches made the PAT, and Snow College carried a 20-10 lead into halftime.
Cisco crossed midfield on its opening possession of the second half, but Meeks Falatea recorded the second interception of the game for the Badgers and returned the ball 17 yards to the Snow College 44-yard line.
The Badgers drove to the Cisco 24-yard line before giving the ball back on an interception at the 2-yard line. Snow College's defense turned the setback into points as Kaleb Miller and Stuart stopped the Cisco ball carrier in the end zone for a safety, extending the lead to 22-10.
The ensuing kickoff went out of bounds, allowing the Badgers to begin their next possession at midfield. Story completed passes to Dumas and Rhodes to move Snow College into Cisco territory. The drive stalled at the 32-yard line, but Sanches connected on a 49-yard field goal to give the Badgers a 25-10 advantage.
Cisco remained within two scores until the Snow College defense put the game away with a pair of pick-sixes in the fourth quarter.
The Wranglers took over at their own 36-yard line following a Snow College interception, but Fale Atuaia intercepted the ball on the second play of the possession and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown. Sanches' extra point stretched the lead to 32-10 with 9:20 remaining.
Will Warner delivered another defensive score just 92 seconds later. Warner jumped a slant route, intercepted and returned the ball 34 yards for a touchdown, giving Snow College a 39-10 lead and completing a run of 39 unanswered points.
Snow College outgained Cisco 401-205 and held a 24-8 advantage in first downs. The Badgers rushed for 229 yards on 46 carries while limiting the Wranglers to 80 yards on the ground.
Buckner led the rushing attack with 102 yards on 13 carries, including runs of 50 and 20 yards. Louie Hamilton added 61 yards on 12 attempts, and Tala Taulapapa rushed for 44 yards on seven carries.
Story completed 13 of 29 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns. Rhodes caught five passes for 66 yards, while Wall and Dumas each hauled in a touchdown.
The Snow College defense intercepted four passes and recorded 11 tackles for loss. Johnson, Falatea, Atuaia and Warner each recorded an interception. Warner also finished with six tackles and a tackle for loss, while Jaden Manwaring led the Badgers with eight tackles.
Snow College improved to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in SWJCFC play with the victory. The Badgers will remain on the road to take on Kilgore College in Kilgore, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 12, at 6 p.m. MST. For video streaming and live stats information, visit snowbadgers.com.
