Bryson wins after tough homecoming start

The Bryson Cowboys won their fifth straight game with a 61-16 homecoming win over Woodson. Though the final outcome seemed ideal, the first quarter ended in a 16-16 tie before the Cowboys ran away with the victory. “It was a tough first quarter,” Bryson coach Jason Briles said. “I think we were distracted by all the homecoming activities and it took us a quarter to get our bearings.” It wasn’t until defensive coordinator Hunter Hayes began making substitutions that the Cowboys began to find their stride. “The bench speaks much louder than me,” Hayes told Briles during the contest. “If the bench can’t get your attention, nothing can.” Hayes method of motivation worked as the Cowboys held Woodson scoreless for the rest of the game. Paul Davidson continued to shine for Bryson, amassing 20 tackles, a fumble recovery, and a sack, to go with six receptions for 182 yards and four touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball. “He was a handful in all facets of the game,” Briles said of Davidson. “He made great blocks, receptions and tackles.” Tanner Buchanan added 13 tackles as the only other member of the Cowboys defense to reach double digits. Quarterback Brayden Houser completed 10 of his 12 passing attempts for 248 yards and five touchdowns. The No. 19-ranked Cowboys will want to avoid all distractions heading into next week as they prepare to face No. 12-ranked Gorman at 7:30 p.m. Friday night in Bryson. “That will be a test where we stand against a top-rated team,” Briles said of the Gorman game. “We’re excited to see exactly where we stand and if we can live up to the hype.” That will be the first of two games in a three-week period in which the Cowboys will go up against higher ranked opponents. On Friday, Oct. 14 Bryson will travel across Young County to face the No. 10 ranked Newcastle Bobcats.