SUBMITTED BY TODD LEWIS
The Bucs were able to (handily) beat their southern Alberta rival, the Calgary Wolfpack, last Saturday, June 7 at Lacombe's MEGlobal Athletic Park.
The game was fairly even in the first half, with a score of 10-7 for the Pack at halftime. The Bucs offense and defense really started to gel, however, and held the Pack to one touchdown while scoring four of their own. The final score was 39-17.
#16 Josh Achtemichuk manned the offense as quarterback and threw for an estimated 220 yards, for 16/20, 3 TDs. Matt Merkely, #85, was his main target, who had over 100 reception yards and 2 TDs under his belt. And rookie running back, Junior Rivera #2, had an outstanding game, managing to rush for over 80 yards while scoring a TD of his own. The Buccaneers defense was extremely solid as a unit, with multiple sacks recorded on the Pack QB, Daryl Leason.
Game stats for the Bucs are as follows:
Junior Rivera: 106 yards rushing on 12 carries; 8.8 average; also 3 catches, 41 yards and a TD
Matt Merkley: 6 catches 86 yards. 2 TDs (also 100 percent completion rate 11 yards passing)
Josh A: 186 yards passing 4 TDs
Defense gave up only 204 yards passing and 46 rushing; absolutely dominating performance against a guy who routinely throws for 400 plus.
Offense had 351 total yards to the packs 250.
The Bucs play again next Saturday, June 14, 6 p.m. at MEGlobal Athletic Park against Grande Prairie Drillers who have a 1-0 record.
The team is also going on their annual "Team up to Tackle Hunger" food drive throughout Lacombe on June 14, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., before the game.