JASON EPP
• Leader & Times
The Turpin Cardinals moved to 3-0 with a dominating performance at Buffalo. The Cardinal offense racked up 330 yards on just 30 plays and the defense held the Bison to only ten total yards in a 54-6 mercy-rule win.
Turpin wasted little time, taking a 36-0 lead in the first quarter, including a 52-yard punt return TD. Turpin led 42-0 before a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown allowed the Bison to get on the board before the half. The Cardinals added another score in the third quarter. In the fourth, Jaxon Lehnert blocked a punt and recovered it in the end zone to end the game.
The Cardinal offense ran for 100 yards and three touchdowns on just 13 carries. Turpin quarterbacks were 11 of 17 passing for 230 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Cardinal defense forced three turnovers and only allowed two first downs.
Carson Peters finished the game 8-8 passing for 161 yards and 3 touchdowns and added another on the ground. Jhett Huffman reached paydirt three times, a 46-yard run, the 52-yard punt return, and a 38-yard catch. Saul Alvarado added three catches for 67 yards and 2 TDs. Eliji Garcia caught two passes for 36 yards and Ryder Ireland nabbed two catches for 27 yards. Aaron Gandarilla rushed five times for 15 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Riley Fowler had nine tackles, including two for a loss, and a fumble recovery. Jaxon Lenhert had eight tackles, one for a loss, a sack, and the blocked punt. Ryder Ireland had 11 tackles, two for a loss and two sacks. Angel Moreno had eight tackles, one for a loss and a fumble caused. Alex Alvarado and Ryan Olguin each had five tackles.
Turpin started the season with a 60-14 win over Clayton, New Mexico, added a 58-20 win over the Tyrone Bobcats before taking care of Buffalo to earn a No.4 ranking in Class B-1.
Turpin’s final tune-up before district play is this Friday against Boise City.
