Andy Anderson’s debut as Buffalo's football coach ended with a 34-6 defeat to Putnam County rival Poca last Friday.
The Bison face another tough opponent in an attempt to rebound when they host Clay County on Friday at 7 p.m.
Rebounding started with watching film from the loss to the Dots and pointing out mistakes made by the players.
“When we watched film, they took it really well,†Anderson said. “When you break it down, we were five or six plays from being in that game.â€
Buffalo (0-1) emerged from the game healthy and at full strength to meet Clay County (0-1), which is attempting to rebound from a 41-13 loss to Midland Trail in a game played at a neutral site in Spencer.
Coach Jason Nichols’ Panthers defeated Buffalo last year at Bradley Field, 59-14.
Anderson said Clay County is just as potent this season.
“They run so many single-back sets because they’re big up front,†Anderson said. “They stretch a defense out.â€
Cooper Collins replaced older brother Noah at quarterback this season, Anderson said. Noah Collins is now a quarterback at the University of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä.
Other games across the area on Friday include the following:
Nitro at St. Albans
Coach James “Boom†McKinney’s Wildcats cross the Kanawha River this week to play the Red Dragons at Crawford Field in a non-conference contest.
Nitro (1-0) defeated Hedgesville 52-14 behind Eian Duffy’s 310 passing yards and six TDs to get the neutral-site win at the former home of the Alderson Broaddus Battlers in Phillipi.
St. Albans (0-1) dropped its season opener to Shady Spring on Friday at Crawford Field, site of Friday’s matchup with the Wildcats. The Red Dragons produced 116 yards of offense and lost 40-0 to the visiting Tigers.
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Coach Derek Stotts’ Red Dragons were unable to run the ball, adding pressure to QB Reese Lilly, who posted 129 yards passing.
The Wildcats have won the last three games in the series against St. Albans, including last season’s 34-6 win in Nitro.
Poca at Midland Trail
Dots coach Seth Ramsey said Midland Trail is a more athletic and better team this year than the one Poca defeated at home last year.
Poca (1-0) won the matchup at O.O. White Stadium 19-6, but travels to Hico to face the Patriots, who avenged one loss from a season ago with their win over Clay County last week.
Midland Trail (1-0) rushed for 273 yards to keep the Panthers offense off the field and limited Clay County to 13 points.
The Dots’ win over Buffalo came after Poca struggled to move the ball in the early going. QB Kam McBride then made plays rolling out of the pocket with play-action that opened up the passing game for Jack McClanahan to shine.
Friday’s game will be the first time Poca has played in Hico.
Riverside at Oak Hill
Turnovers were a significant factor for coach Heath Huffman’s Warriors last Friday. Riverside lost fumbles on its first three possessions, including one in the end zone that was recovered for a touchdown by visiting Greenbrier East.
The Spartans won 39-27.
Oak Hill (1-0) moved to Class AAAA this season after it made the Class AAA playoffs last year, losing to Herbert Hoover in the quarterfinals at Elkview.
Coach Davon Marion’s Red Devils defeated Nicholas County on Friday 21-17 at home and hope to repeat last season’s 21-6 win over Riverside in Quincy.
