Nowata — The Bucs overcame slick, muddy field conditions on the road Friday night to improve their over all record to 6-4 and secure 3rd place in a tough district. The Buccaneers finished 5- 2 in district play and will live to fight another day after a rare absence from last year's State Playoffs.The game looked like it would be the Bucs' night early when after winning the coin toss and deferring to the second half, kicker Joseph Gundel drilled a line drive kick that bounced off the hands of a Nowata player and was recovered by Tonkawa at midfield.Almost the entire first half the Bucs played on the Ironmen side of the field but to the Nowata defense's credit couldn't get a score. Finally with 3:32 to play in the half Nowata pinned Tonkawa back close to its own end zone forcing an errant snap and taking a hard fought 2-0 lead into the half.It looked as though the 2 point safety was going to hold up but the Never Say Die Buccaneers switched injured Cayden Duvall back to quarterback for one last desperation throw and who does he hit right at the end zone? You guessed it, backup quarterback Westyn Freeman who successfully wrestled the ball from two defenders putting the ball on the goal line for Senior Clayton Lopeman to skirt the right side for a Buccaneer winner.Let's not let the fact that the Buccaneer defense refused to give in allowing for the offense to score on it's very last possession. Also it should be noted that the Buccaneer kickoff team followed with a good kick off and stop not allowing Nowata room for a desperation drive. This team will not disappoint you with their effort if you make the long drive to Pocola to watch them in the first round of the State playoffs!
