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March 28th, 2024

turpin hs javier talamantesTurpin's Javier Talamantes (11) looks for space to run after catching a short pass. Talamantes caught three passes for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Cardinals' 42-16 homecoming win over the Buffalo Bison. L&T photo/Jason EppJASON EPP • Leader & Times 

 

TURPIN, Okla.—Big plays on offense and adjustments on defense helped the Turpin Cardinals pick up a 42-16 homecoming win over the Buffalo Bison, Friday night. 

Turpin racked up 302 yards and five touchdowns on just 10 offensive plays in the first half. The Cardinals scored on their first six possessions of the game with all six scoring plays ranging from 47 to 65 yards in distance. Cardinal quarterback Bryson Parker had an extremely efficient day, finishing 9 of 10 passing for 326 yards and five touchdowns. 

“We executed really well, especially in the passing game,” Cardinals Head Coach Justin Hannah said. “Our offensive line did a great job and did not give up a sack, Bryson (Parker) was putting it on the money, and our receivers were making catches. We didn’t punt all night.” 

Part of what limited Turpin to just 10 first-half offensive plays was the Buffalo game plan and its early success. The Bison relied heavily on the fullback dive to move the chains and eat up clock. Buffalo ran 41 plays for 140 yards and scored two touchdowns in the first half. 

“They just packed it in and ran fullback dive over and over again,” Hannah said. “It was frustrating when they were moving the chains and three-and-a-half yards. We made those defensive adjustments and it looked a lot better in the second half.” 

One of those adjustments was significant snaps at nose tackle for Drew Batt. The 6-8, 250-pound junior led the defense with 13.5 tackles and a tackle for loss. Buffalo was held to just 66 yards in the second half and averaged less than two yards per play. 

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Buffalo stole a possession to open the game when they recovered an onside kick at the Cardinal 40-yard line. Twelve plays late the ninth fullback dive put Buffalo up 8-0. The drive took half of the quarter. Turpin took just two plays to answer when Parker hit Javier Talamantes in stride for a 55-yard touchdown. Turpin trailed 8-6 after a missed 2-point conversion. Turpin took the lead on their next offensive play when Aaron Resendiz scored Turpin’s only rushing TD of the game from 47 yards out with 2:12 still to play in the first quarter, putting Turpin up 14-8. 

Buffalo retook the lead with a 10-play, 70-yard scoring drive, keyed by a 34-yard fullback dive play that gave the Bison a first and 10 at the Turpin 11. Three plays later it was another fullback dive for the five-yard touchdown, and Buffalo led 16-14 with 9:14 left in the half. 

Talamantes scored his second touchdown on the Cardinals next possession. Talamantes out leaped a Bison defender for the ball, then cruised the final 20 yards in to the endzone for a 51-yard TD. The touchdown put Turpin back on top 20-16 with 8:45 left in the half. Talamantes finished the game with 122 yards receiving and two touchdowns on just three catches. 

Buffalo again moved the ball deep into Cardinal territory, and had a 1st and 10 at the Turpin 23. But this time the Turpin defense held the Bison on downs. It took Turpin just 3 plays (their longest drive of the game at that point) to find the endzone again. Parker found Kaden Moses over the middle on a short pass; Moses weaved through the defense for 65-yard touchdown to put Turpin up 28-16 with 1:18 left in the half. 

Disaster struck for Buffalo on the ensuing kickoff when a bounding kick was misplayed and forced the Bison to start the drive at their one-yard line. Two plays later a fumbled handoff in the endzone became a safety when Bailey Boyd tackled the Buffalo quarterback to put Turpin up 30-16. Boyd also tallied 10.5 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks. 

Off the free kick, Turpin began their next drive at their 45 with less than a minute left in the half. Two plays later, Parker found Resendiz wide open on a deep crossing pattern for a 50-yard touchdown and the Cardinals led at half 36-16. 

After forcing Buffalo to punt from their own territory, Turpin took over at their own 15-yard line. The Cardinals had their longest scoring drive of the day both in distance and in plays. On the fourth play of the drive, Parker hit Eduardo Aquilar on a wide receiver screen. Aquilar got a key block from Resendiz and took it 51 yards for the touchdown to put the Cardinals up 42-16 with 4:49 left in the third quarter and the game’s final score. 

“I thought it was a good win,” Hannah said. “I was really proud of the kids and how we made adjustments for the second half and did a lot better against their run game. I felt like we did a good job spreading the ball around. It makes us harder to defend. That’s what the spread offense is meant to be.” 

Turpin finished the game with 434 yards and 10 first downs on just 21 plays. The Cardinals rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown and threw for 326 yards and five touchdowns. Buffalo tallied 210 yards and 16 first downs. 

Turpin will head into their open date with a 3-1 record then will travel to Ringwood, October 1, before district play begins. Coach Hannah’s goals for his team in the off week are simple. 

“Heal up, get fundamentally better, and get ready for one heck of a schedule the second half of the season,” Hannah said.

EARL WATT • Leader & Times

 

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