The Benjamin Buccaneers varsity football team had an eventful game against the Cardinal Newman Crusaders on Sep. 9th Due to the weather, it was rescheduled two times. Through all of the weather struggles, the final outcome of the game was a loss for the Benjamin Buccaneers, 36-14.

The game began in front of a loud and spirited crowd on Friday night. Approaching storms led to the stoppage of play at the two-minute mark in the second quarter when the Crusaders were leading 7-0 and had the ball in Buccaneer territory. After a lengthy delay, officials decided to reschedule the remainder of the match to Saturday at five.

Mother Nature intervened again, as lightning was detected in the area throughout Saturday evening. With the Crusaders still leading 7-13 with a minute left in the third quarter when they just scored to stretch their lead to six points, play was again stopped. Following yet another delay, plans were made to continue play on Monday evening.

Three days after kickoff, the game’s final moments got underway. The Crusaders started off by successfully pulling off a two-point conversion, extending their lead to eight points at the end of the third quarter. Both teams battled during the fourth quarter, with another long touchdown by senior Micah Mays. Unfortunately for the Bucs, the effort was not enough, and the Crusaders closed out the game on top.

Even though the Bucs lost, junior and starting quarterback Jacob Cosby-Mosley showed his leadership throughout the game. 

“The momentum shifted a lot,” said Cosby-Mosley, “We had the game in our hands the first two days, then the third day it was a little bit harder to get going and get our offense firing.”

Senior Micah Mays, a Wake Forest commit, dominated the Crusaders as wide receiver. Mays’ two touchdowns (one on Saturday, one on Monday), helped to keep the Bucs in the game until the final whistle. 

“I felt good and fresh this game,” said Mays, “Each day is a new day. It’s not really playing a whole game of football in one night when you’re tired and fatigued. Each day of the game felt like a new day and I capitalized on that.”

A player who stood out throughout the game was freshman Adam Balogoun-Ali. He was the only starting freshman. 

“I thought I played well,” said Balogoun-Ali, “Even though we lost, I’m still looking forward to the next game.

Some of the Bucs’ struggles may have stemmed from the absence of junior running back Chauncey Bowens who did not play Friday or Saturday, due to an ankle injury. Bowens rejoined the squad on Monday, but did not play a substantial role in the offense and looked to still be shaking off the lingering effects of his absence.

“Even though I only had one good run, I did not play my best,” said Bowens, “I’m going to get healed up as soon as possible to compete in our next game with full strength.”

Although the team lost, head coach Eric Kresser thought that there were still some positive aspects in this game despite the loss.

“We lost, so that was not good,” said Kresser. “We had some good plays but we did some unfortunate things in the game that gave the other team the lead. It ended up being the back breaker.” 

The Buccaneers look to bounce back versus Gulliver Prep at 3:30 in Miami on Thursday.