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Bucs crack the win column
The Belvidere Bucs had higher hopes than to go winless through the first seven weeks of first-year head coach Sean Donnelly’s first season. After suffering a week seven 28-13 loss to Jefferson, the Bucs had dropped four games by two scores, or less. In week eight, the Bucs found themselves on the other end of the stick.
The Bucs had to go out on the road and take it, however. Traveling to face off with Rockford Auburn, at least one team was going to erase the zero from the win column on that day. Auburn and Belvidere entered week eight with a combined record of 0-14. Auburn, being on their home field, should have held a slight advantage over the Bucs.
Belvidere had other plans in mind, however. In true pirate fashion, the Bucs went to Rockford looking to steal a victory. Specifically, it was Demetrious Taborn who was a master thief for the Bucs. Taborn went up high to snag a pair of interceptions on the night, which helped keep Auburn off the board.
The Bucs were also bolstered by a consistent passing performance from Devonne Embrey. In 14 passing attempts, Embrey completed 10 of them for 75 yards. Only one of Embrey’s passes was intercepted on the night.
Brandon West provided a solid outlet for Embrey. West led the team in receptions with four, which he took for 21 total yards. Taborn wasn’t just catching passes on the defensive side, either. With three catches for 38 yards and a touchdown, Taborn was a vital part of Belvidere’s recipe for success. Embrey also completed passes to Nic Alvarez, Jason LaBeau, and Jayden Monto on the day.
Belvidere couldn’t get much going on the ground game, but they did manage to score points from there. It was Alvarez who punched it in as he rushed for 40 yards and a score on just nine carries. Embrey carried the ball eight times himself, rushing for 20 yards.
The Bucs will wrap up their 2024 season with a tough matchup as they play host to the Hononegah Indians on Oct. 25. Hononegah is 7-1 and one of the top teams in the NIC-10. In week eight, they handed Belvidere North their first loss of the season with a 22-19 victory.
