Buffalo — Running back Aurelio Dominguez lead the way for Buffalo as the Bison get their first district win at the expense of the Italy Gladiators Friday in Buffalo. Dominguez, a 5’5", 165 lb. senior, carried the ball 24 times for a total of 298-yards.

After two long runs by A. Dominguez of 16 and 24-yards during the Bison’s opening drive, Sheffield, 5’11" 225 lbs., rumbled in from 14-yards out to give Buffalo a quick 6-0 advantage. David Rodriguez kicked in the extra point and the Bison were in business, 7-0 with 10:08 still to play in the first.

Italy responded, and quarterback Jasenio Anderson ran a keeper for 40-yards to put the Gladiators in scoring position at the Buffalo 1-yard line. Two consecutive carries by Anderson put Italy on the board and Anderson’s point after kick tied the game 7-7.

A 26-yard run by Dominguez setup Buffalo’s next touchdown who eventually ran it in from 4-yards out. The point after kick by Rodriguez was true and the Bison regained the lead 14-7 with 2:42 left in the opening quarter.

After a Gladiator punt, three straight runs by J. Dominguez covered 31-yards to Italy’s 21-yard line to end the first quarter. Two straight runs by A. Dominguez advanced the ball to Italy’s 11-yard line. A. Dominguez scored the 11-yard touchdown on the next play to extend Buffalo’s lead 20-7. The point after kick by Rodriguez clears the uprights, 21-7 Buffalo leads.

The Gladiators drive the length of the field and Anderson passes to De’Andre Sephus who makes the endzone catch inside the pylon. However, a holding penalty erased the effort and Italy went for it all on fourth down. Anderson’s pass was intercepted by Buffalo’s Kyle Richardson near the goal line and Richardson returned the pick to the Bison 23-yard line, 9:33 still to play in the first half.

Multiple runs by the Dominguez brothers had the Bison threatening to score at the Gladiator 15-yard line. Sheffield did the honors from there and Buffalo now leads 27-7. The kick by Rodriguez is accurate and Buffalo leads 28-0 with 6:17 still showing before halftime.

Italy’s offense continues to struggle and punts it away. Rallied by Bobby Wilson, Larry Mayberry and De’Andre Rettig, the Gladiators’ defense showed up and stuffed all three run attempts by the Bison who had to punt from their own 22-yard line.

Italy benefits from a late hit call charged to Buffalo to advance to the Bison 22-yard line. A 9-yard pass from Anderson to Heath Clemons gets Italy to the 13-yard line but the drive stalls and Buffalo leads comfortably at halftime 28-7.

The Gladiators receive the second half kickoff. Moments later a 32-yard pass completion from Anderson to Jase Holden spots the ball at Buffalo’s 5-yard line. Two plays later, Anderson connects with Holden again for the touchdown. Anderson’s second point after kick counts and the Gladiators reduce the deficit in half, 28-14 with 9:15 to play in the third quarter.

The Bison offense continues to roll on their next possession and A. Dominguez sprints in from 53-yards out to distance the Bison 34-14. Rodriguez kicks in the extra point to make the score 35-14 with 6:09 left in the third.

Italy’s unable to mount a drive and Anderson punts 49-yards to the Bison 40-yard line. Buffalo feeds A. Dominguez and the Bison make their way inside Italy’s 20-yard line. Sheffield scores from 20-yards out to give the Bison a 41-14 advantage. The extra point attempt by Rodriguez falls short as the third quarter ends with Buffalo in command.

After the Bison kickoff, Italy’s Kyle Jackson motors 38-yards to the Buffalo 18-yard line. Three plays later, on fourth and goal from the 3-yard line, Anderson crosses the white stripe making the game respectable, 40-21 with 10:00 remaining. Anderson adds the extra point kick to make it 41-21 which is ultimately the games final score.

“This was a big win for us. Italy is a really good team. It took our best effort to beat them, that’s for sure,” commented Bison head coach Mark Read.

Next, the Gladiators will challenge the Leon Cougars in Italy on Friday, October 22 at 7:30 p.m. The Cougars lost to Axtell in week one 42-27 but will enter Willis Field with momentum after a 33-6 win over the Centerville Tigers.

Currently, Buffalo, Italy, Leon and Centerville are in a four-way tie for 2nd Place. The Axtell Longhorns (5-2,2-0) are now the front runner of the 2A-2 Region II District 11 race with their 42-27 win over Leon and a 60-6 win over Blooming Grove. Blooming Grove is in last place with an 0-2 district record.

Track the Italy Gladiators and their progress at maxpreps.com

Go Gladiators!