More often than not over the past 13 matchups, McPherson has had Buhler’s number. Friday night in McPherson was no different.
After capitalizing on an early McPherson turnover, Buhler drove to the Bullpups’ 5-yard line before a costly red-zone turnover gave the ball back. McPherson followed with a 95-yard scoring drive, putting the Crusaders behind. Buhler never led, and the early turnover proved to be the first of too many mistakes.
The Buhler offense showed it could move the football. Landon Martinez carried the ball 15 times for 133 yards, while Garrett Gleason added a 54-yard reception from quarterback Asher Zachary. The Crusaders averaged just over 7 yards per offensive snap. The problem was opportunity: Buhler ran only 30 offensive plays compared to McPherson’s 70.
McPherson’s Dane Becker pounded the middle of the Buhler defense, carrying the ball 33 times for 197 yards. The Bullpups relied on an effective rushing attack to sustain drives and wear down the Crusaders.
The loss drops Buhler to 2–1. The Crusaders return home next week for a difficult matchup against Great Bend.
