The Belvidere Bucs move on to the first round of playoffs following their victory over the Blue Thunder of Belvidere North Friday night. Not only do they make the playoffs but they keep the Cross Town Classic Trophy and retain the city bragging rights.

The Bucs were the first to draw blood and put points on the board. #29 of the Bucs scored on a huge 50 yard run. The PAT was good by #81, Jonas Pedersen the score was 7-0 Bucs. This did not last long because the Blue Thunder scored 2 minutes later off of a pass from #7, Justin Ellingson to #11, Ryan Gamble. Gamble sprinted 68 yards for the score following the catch. The PAT was good and the score was tied at 7 each.

The Thunder then recovered a Buc fumble and had good field position on the 30 yard line. This comes following a huge gain from a Buc counter up the middle. Then the Thunder fumbled the ball and gave it back to the Bucs. The Bucs were on the 22 yard line of the Thunder.

The Thunder offense broke a 93 yard touchdown run from #21, Austin Smaha. #45, Lke Bannon was good with the Pat and the score was Thunder 14, Bucs 7.  With 1:28 left in the 1st quarter the ball on the Thunder 33 yard line with 4th and 3 they decide to go for it instead of punting. The net gain was minus three yards and the Bucs take over in great field position. The capitalize on the turnover and score as the clock rolls into the 2nd quarter. #19, Marcus Gooden was the responsible party for the score. Pedersen was good with the PAT again tying the score up again at 14 each.

Each team switches with turnovers the Thunder on the 29 yard line then the Bucs drop a punt after signaling a fair catch and the Thunder recovers. The Thunder is now on the Buc 29 yard line. Smaha again this time from 15, Bannon good on the PAT and the score was 21-14 Thunder.

4:15 remains in the half and #9, Troy Vandenbroek completes a pass to #23, Kane Stieger for a 5 yard TD pass. The PAT was good and the score was 21-21. The Bucs and Thunder would exchange drives but not score in the 3rd quarter. The Bucs would bring the game to completion with a 6 yard score from a QB keeper from Vandenbroek. The PAT was good and the final score was Bucs 28, Thunder 21.

It is believed that the Bucs will be playing Woodstock in the first round. Good luck to you all. For the Thunder congratulations on a good season.

The Belvidere North Sophomore fell to defeat from their cross town rivals Friday night. The Thunder traveled to Funderburg Stadium for the annual bragging rights game. The game started with the Thunder taking their opening possession the length of the field for a touchdown. The PAT was good and the Thunder were on the scoreboard first, 7-0.

This did not last long as the Bucs took control of the game from this point and never looked back. Less than a minute later the Bucs were moving the ball pretty steadily when they fumbled the ball on the Thunder 29 yard line. The result for the Thunder was starting on the 29 yard line and within 4 plays be on their own 45 yard line a backup of 26 yards.

Now to 2:30 left in the 1st quarter and the Bucs had driven the ball down the field and scored from 1 yard out the PAT was blocked but a penalty flag against the Bucs backed them up some more. The Bucs changed their mind and went for 2 points and the decision proved to be successful. The Bucs went ahead 8-7.

Both teams suffered from turnoveritis. I am not even sure if this is a word but it definitely describes what happened. 2:18 the Thunder turned the ball over on the 37 and the Bucs capitalized on the turnover. 1:59 the Bucs scored again and another 2-point conversion was good the score was now 16-7. The 1st play of the Thunder possession the Thunder fumble the ball and BHS recovers on the Thunder 26 yard line. The Bucs possess the ball as the 1st comes to an end and at 8:31 facing a 3rd and 1 yard they score. The PAT is no good and the Bucs now lead 22-7.Now at 3;15 #29, Josh Walker of the Bucs intercepts a Thunder pass. The interception gives the Bucs good field position at the 26 yard line.

For the next 3 minutes both teams just continue to turn the ball over to each other fumbling back and forth. This would finally come to an end at :36.7 when #13, Conner Boland scores from 6 yards out. The PAT good so the score was 29-7.

The 3rd quarter was much of the same when it comes to scoring. The Bucs were in charge of the scoring and the Thunder could not get the offense moving down the field. At 6:24 #1, Justin McGady scored another Buc touchdown from 8 yards out. The PAT was good and the score was 36-7 Bucs.

The final score would come from the Bucs at 4:11 left in the game from 44 yards out. Boland was the back that broke the tackles and hit the end zone. The PAT was good and the final score of the game was Bucs 43, Thunder 7.