Noah Lane (23) wraps up a Pipestone ball carrier up high while Chase Gambell goes low to help with the tackle during BEA’s first game of the season. The Bucs lost to Triton last week to drop their record to 0-2.

The Blue Earth Area Buccaneers knew they would be in for a tough game when they traveled to Dodge Center on Sept. 6 to take on the Triton Cobras, and they were right. The Cobras defeated the Bucs 60-14.

Triton is the defending Section 2AA champions and are currently ranked 13th in Class AA in the most recent Max Preps poll.

Triton did not waste any time getting on the board. After kicking off to BEA, the Cobras’ Christian Valdez intercepted the Bucs’ pass on their first play from the line of scrimmage and returned the ball for a touchdown. The extra point kick was good to give Triton a 7-0 lead.

Following Triton’s kickoff, BEA began their next drive on their own 39-yard line. The Bucs advanced the ball inside the Cobras’ 30-yard line before turning the ball over on downs.

Two plays later Triton found the end zone again with the touchdown coming on a 65-yard touchdown from quarterback Pierce Peterson to Valdez. The kick was good to make the score 14-0 in favor of the Cobras.

Triton added 19 more points in the second quarter to take a 33-0 lead at the half.

The Bucs got on the board in the third quarter. BEA started their first touchdown drive on their own 22-yard line following a kickoff by the Cobras.

Quarterback Jacob Grandgenett rushed for a 38-yard gain to the Triton 40-yard line. Two plays later Grandgenett connected on a 40-yard touchdown pass to receiver Branson Hauskins. Grandgenett’s kick was good but the Cobras still held a big 40-7 lead.

The Cobras were leading 54-7 in the third quarter when the Bucs engineered a six-play 81-yard drive for their second touchdown. The score came on an 18-yard run by running back Brayden Rhey. The extra point kick by Grandgenett was good and the third quarter ended with the Cobras on top 54-14.

Triton added six more points in the fourth quarter to make the final score 60-14.

BEA had 11 first downs to 23 for Triton. The Cobras had 571 total yards on offense compared to 268 for the Bucs.

Triton gained 313 yards on the ground and 258 yards in the air. BEA rushed for 180 yards and threw for 88 yards.

Grandgenett was 10-for-18 passing for 79 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 118 yards on 15 attempts.

Rhey carried the ball eight times for 58 yards and one touchdown.

Hauskins was the leading receiver for the Bucs with four receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown.

BEA faced Jackson County Central at Wilson Field in Blue Earth on Friday, Sept. 13. Look for results of that contest in next week’s edition of the Faribault County Register.